Wrestler stripped of medal after podium protest

Sweden's Ara Abrahamian has been stripped of his bronze medal in the Greco-Roman wrestling following a meeting of the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board today.

The 33-year-old was one of two wrestlers to receive bronze in the 84kg category, but caused controversy when he laid his medal down on the floor and walked away during the presentation ceremony.

Abrahamian later explained his actions were in protest at his disqualification from his semi-final against Italy's Andrea Minguzzi, who went on to win the gold medal.

The incident was put before the IOC's Disciplinary Committee, and a statement from the Executive Board confirmed Abrahamian has been disqualified from the Beijing Games and had his accreditation withdrawn.