Filippo Macchi does not think he was robbed of the men's foil gold medal at Paris 2024. “I don't think the referees decided in bad faith,” he told reporters in the mixed zone after the Olympic final, which he lost 15-15 to Ka Long Cheung (Hong Kong). “They probably made a mistake,” he added. “What did I say to my opponent? I complimented him. He's a great athlete.” However, Federscherma formally protested the result. And CONI president Malagò said the referees “should have been better chosen.” Because two Asian referees for a final with an Asian is “inappropriate.” And former Italian champion and coach Stefano Cerioni said it loud and clear: “I'm angry. It's a sensational theft.”
The final momentum
Macchi had come back from a 7-10 score against Cheung in the final. Then it was 14-12. Then the jab that turns on the light with that of the opponent. On the final parity, explains today the Sports Gazettethe rules require the referee to review the images. Huang and the second judge Suh go to the VAR, then return to the stand and resume the match. At that point, Macchi gives the second blow. And the referee withdraws the winning blow again. Then comes Cheung's and this time the referee does not refrain. Cerioni enters the stands and insults the referees. The crowd boos and protests but now everything is decided. Federal president Paolo Azzi said he had never seen anything like it. Filippo Macchi is the real winner and he was denied the gold he deserved.”
“He who did not deserve has won”
“But how can you not hit Filippo? The first one would have been awarded to someone from a youth tournament, without video. He also passed in front of the monitor, but unfortunately for him the images also passed through the Grand Palais. We all saw: Macchi starts and hits. No ifs, no buts. And yet nothing. Not happy, he also abstained the second time, which was also obvious,” Cerioni confides today. “But how can you throw away a medal, it's a shame for fencing, an Olympic title awarded like this. The one who didn't deserve it won, the complete opposite of what they teach kids in the gym. I'm angry,” he concludes.
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