George Asanidze of Georgia broke the hearts of millions of Greeks yesterday when he stopped superhero Pyrros Dimas from winning a record fourth Olympic weightlifting gold. Dimas, a cult figure in the host nation, had to settle for bronze. In amazing scenes, the 33-year-old was given a five-minute ovation from the chanting, flag-waving crowd as he stood on the podium to receive his bronze medal.
His stirring performance helped deflect attention from the drug cloud hanging over the sport, with nine lifters testing positive including Dimas’ teammate Leonidas Sampanis who could be stripped of his 62kg class bronze-medal today. “What happened today, during the award ceremony, has never happened before,” said Dimas, who was joined on stage by his wife and three children. I am at a loss to describe these incredible moments. I thank everybody.”
For Asanidze it was sweet revenge as Dimas had beaten him to the gold on lower body weight at the 2000 Sydney Games after three competitors tied with a total of 390kg. But he didn’t begrudge the rapturous reception given to Dimas. “He was not just a bronze medalist today — he is a three-time Olympic champion and that was the reason for the ovation. I salute him,” said Asanidze.
The Georgian, a former world champion who finished a lowly 12th at this year’s Euros, won the 85kg class with a total of 382.5kg with Andrei Rybakou of Belarus in silver position with 380kg. He had competed in the ‘B’ group and made history by becoming the first medalist from the supposed also-ran section.
