## 2024-08-12 16:12:51
Frenchman Stephen Da Costa, a gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, criticized the head of the Paris Games organizing committee, Tony Estanguet, for his inaction regarding the inclusion of karate in the competition program. The athlete expressed his views on his page on the X social network, Day.Az reported, citing TASS.
“I have nothing against athletes who love their discipline as much as I love mine,” Da Costa wrote. “LA 2028 fought to include disciplines that are important to their country and that will bring them medals. Tony Estangue did not fight. He did nothing for us.”
Da Costa, 27, is a three-time world champion and five-time European champion. He won the 67 kg weight class at the Tokyo Olympics.
Karate made its debut in the Olympic competition at the Tokyo Olympics. Eight sets of medals were awarded in this discipline. However, the International Olympic Committee and the Paris Games organizing committee later decided not to include karate in the program for the 2024 Olympics.
The Olympic Games in Paris are scheduled to end on August 11.