architeuthis

I really, really, really don't want to stir up the pot here, and I'm not trying to be negative at all, but I was reading an article over on themat and saw this quote:

"Sieracki lost his 2000 Olympic spot in a legal battle with Matt Lindland, who Keith defeated on the mat in the U.S. Olympic Trials at Reunion Arena in Dallas. He also made the 2004 team that failed to qualify the weight class for the Athens Games.

“Yep, I’m (the answer to) a trivia question,” said Sieracki, 36, an 18-year Army veteran who will be remembered as a two-time U.S. Olympic Team member who never graced a mat in the Games. “But now the pressure is gone. I’m so tired of carrying that weight on my shoulders of hearing ‘this is your year.’”"

I am still unclear as to how the courts awarded Linland the spot. If this is going to be considered trolling than I'll delete it, but I'm curious. Any info?

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.themat.com/index.php?page...rticleID=19026

M

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"It is the difference between humble and hubris that distinguishes their positions." -TLV

Big

I believe the ref screwed up the match where Lindland lost and when it was reviewed it was decided Sieraki got some points unfairly. The mistake was not caught right away and Lindland took it to court. I think another wrestle-off was granted and Lindland won. It was really something that goes on every day in a Russian team selection without any need for court.

Big

Just to clarify: the court case was not about the match itself but whether Lindland should get another wrestle off. Everyone, including Sieraki, knew Sieraki won unfairly.

Found this article that should clarify things:

"I have been motivated for this a lot longer than Dallas," said Lindland, who successfully argued in arbitration that Sieracki used a leg hold -- barred in Greco-Roman -- to help beat him in the U.S. trials. Later, Lindland, who had beaten Sieracki seven times before the trials loss, won a rematch with Sieracki 8-0.

http://www.sptimes.com/News/092600/O...and_cour.shtml

architeuthis

Thanks Big.

Is there any vidoe of this match?

M

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"It is the difference between humble and hubris that distinguishes their positions." -TLV

Big

I am not sure about the video. I am sure someone has it but really back then nobody gave either wrestler much attention. It became a big deal after Lindland ended up winning a silver medal, then won another silver medal and then went into MMA.

In other words that court fiasco might have been what defined most of Lindland's successes up until now.

wrastler118

Its too bad to because Lindland is a pretty good wrestler. Didn't he get Silver that year?

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