Odette Giuffrida's controversial defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Odette Giuffrida, a judoka who has previously won silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics and bronze at Tokyo 2021, experienced a controversial defeat at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in the -52 kg category, Giuffrida was disqualified in two consecutive matches, resulting in her missing out on a third Olympic medal.

In the semifinal, Giuffrida faced her formidable rival, Distria Krasniqi from Kosovo. The match ended in controversy as Giuffrida was disqualified after receiving three penalties, a decision that has been widely debated.

Following the disputed semifinal, Giuffrida competed in the consolation final for the bronze medal. However, she faced a similar fate as in the semifinal. She was again disqualified after receiving three penalties, resulting in the bronze medal being awarded to Larissa Pimenta from Brazil.

The Italian team, including the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malagó, expressed their disappointment and concern over the refereeing decisions. Malagó, who watched the semifinal and bronze medal match alongside President Falcone and Secretary General Benucci, stated that the refereeing in both matches was questionable and warranted reflection.

Despite the disappointment, the Italian team and Giuffrida will undoubtedly use this experience as motivation for future competitions. The controversial decisions made during these matches have sparked discussions about refereeing standards in judo, which could lead to changes in the sport. As the dust settles on the 2024 Paris Olympics, all eyes will be on how these events shape the future of judo.