In spite of all our differences, the one thing that binds all living creatures is that we each have an expiration date. This finality to our existence is what makes life special, something to be cherished and protected. But occasionally things can go terribly wrong…
A Cuban tae kwon do athlete, unhappy with the referee’s call during the Olympics, took matters into his own hands, er, feet.
Angel Valodia Matos attacked the referee, Chakir Chelbat of Sweden, after Chelbat disqualified Matos for taking too long in an injury timeout. Matos became upset with the call, pushed another judge, kicked Chelbat, and spat on the mat as security hauled him out of the arena.
After the match, the World Taekwondo Federation banned Matos and his coach, Leodis Gonzalez, for life and erased his records at the Beijing Games. "This is a strong violation of the spirit of tae kwon do and the Olympic Games," the WTF said in a statement.
Matos was winning his match in the second round against Arman Chilmanov of Kazakhstan, when Chilmanov landed a good blow on Matos, who then fell to the ground. More than a minute passed as Matos waited for medical attention, so Chelbat disqualified Matos because tae kwon do rules allow only one minute for an injury timeout. "To me it was obvious he was unable to continue," said Chilmanov, who went on to win the bronze medal. "His toe on his left foot was broken."
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