USA Wrestling Executive Committee disciplines World Team members for conduct violations
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
09/25/2003
The USA Wrestling Executive Committee has approved specific consequences for code of conduct violations by two members of the U.S. Freestyle World Team which competed at the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., September 12-14. The athletes who received discipline for the code of conduct violations were Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. The action consisted of: * a one-year probation period for each athlete, in which they must refrain from any other code of conduct violations. * loss of financial support from USA Wrestling's National Team program, the amount of which was decided on an individual basis. * a requirement that the athletes write private letters of apology to specified wrestling entities The Executive Committee received recommendations from USA Wrestling's Freestyle Sport Committee on this matter. The Freestyle Sport Committee met on a conference call prior to the Executive Committee conference call and received input from the athletes. Each athlete will receive written notification from USA Wrestling with specific details of the approved consequences in their individual case. "USA Wrestling requires its athletes to abide by an appropriate code of conduct. It is in the best interest of everyone associated with the sport of wrestling that USA Wrestling not tolerate conduct violations. We expect our wrestlers to demonstrate sportsmanship when they represent our nation, the sport and USA Wrestling in competition," said USA Wrestling President Stan Dziedzic. "We want to put this behind us and focus our efforts on preparing our athletes and teams for the 2004 Olympic Games."