The award for biggest Olympic drama queen goes to...

(Getty Images)
Sweden's Ara Abrahamian!

The Swedish wrestler threw down his Olympic bronze medal in protest after his quest for the gold medal ended in what his coach is calling "politics."

Abrahamian took the bronze from around his neck during the medal ceremony, stepped from the podium in a huff and threw down the bronze medal in the middle of the wrestling mat then walked off.

Ara announced after his display of poor sportsmanship that this would be his last Olympics as not winning the gold medal was a failure.

Telegraph.co.uk

Comments

[tomriddlesmate]

His name suggests that he isn't Swedish. So he was in this for himself...no national pride.

The politics surrounding his decision are interesting, however. It seems like the Olympic Commity is dying to have as many Russia/Georgia show-downs as possible, in hopes of repeating the 1956 "Blood in the water" event between Russian and the recently invaded Hungary.

The truth is that the real show-down would be between the Russians and the US.

[jeff]

youre an ididot tommriddlesmate. just because someone's name doesnt "match" the country they live in doesn't mean they have no national pride. how many americans have "american" last names? this may come as a shock to you but some people actually move to other countries, have babies in other countries, and keep their original last names!

[A Gaylord]

I'd have to agree, just because he doesn't sound like he's from Sweden doesn't mean he has no national pride. I mean, look at Kirsty Coventry, the swimmer from Zimbabwe.

The myth of a name matching a country is SO BUSTED!

[Tim]

This guy's actions are atrocious. Throwing a tantrum and your bronze medal down on the wrestling mat because you didn't win gold is so childish. I wonder if he knows how many people, not just athletes, but people, wish they could have a bronze medal, be it form the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the 1987 Monroe County Pickle Eating contest? I know I'll take his medal if he doesn't want it.

[Allen]

Compare the Swedish wrestler's behavior with the sportsmanship exhibited Friday evening by U.S. swimmer Dara Torres, who made sure her event didn't proceed until another swimmer (from another country) who had a torn suit and was trying to quickly change into a new one, was out from the dressing room and able to participate. We all like to cheer for our favorite athletes to do well, but it's this type of behavior that shows what it is to be a true champion.