Demetra Koutsopodiotis Selected to Officiate at 2024 Paris Olympics

A HUGE congratulations to Demetra Koutsopodiotis for being selected to officiate at the 2024 Paris Olympics! BC and Canada will be cheering you on!

"Wrestling Canada Lutte is proud to announce that wrestling’s international federation, United World Wrestling (UWW), has selected two Canadian officials to referee the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Guelph, Ontario’s Marcia Chiasson and Kamloops, B.C.’s Demetra Koutsopodiotis will be part of a group of 50 referees from around the world who will officiate the Games.

This will be the first Games for Chiasson who has been officiating since 1999. She became a national referee, with the Canadian Association of Wrestling Officials (CAWO), in 2002 and earned her UWW license in 2017. Since becoming an international referee, Chiasson has officiated at two Commonwealth Games, a Pan American Games, and three world championship events (U17, U20, and Senior).

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be selected as a referee for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, marking my first participation at this prestigious event,” said Chiasson. “This opportunity represents the highest goal that we can achieve as referees, a testament to our dedication and passion for the sport of wrestling. I am excited to contribute to the Olympic Games and look forward to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness in the competition.”

Koutsopodiotis was the first alternate official for Tokyo, but this will also be her first official Olympics. She began refereeing in 2000, joined CAWO in 2004 and earned her UWW licence in 2009. As an official, she has attended three Commonwealth Games, one Youth Olympic Games, a Pan-American Games and six World Championships (two U17, three U23 and a Seniors).

“Just as Marcia, I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have been selected for this elite event. This is the highest achievement that any referee can acquire and to be one of few that has reached this goal is very humbling,” said Koutsopodiotis. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing training systems and depth of knowledge in the sport that we have in Canada. We are constantly challenging each other to be better. To further that, the opportunities we have through UWW to learn and grow are even more invaluable.”

"CAWO is extremely happy to see two of our referees selected for the 2024 Olympics. This highlights Canada's strong officials' development program and our continued commitment to excellence,” said Curtis Leung, President, CAWO. “Marcia and Demetra have dedicated a tremendous amount of time and effort to excellence in wrestling and it has finally paid off. Both women showcase the strength in Canadian officials and our development programs across Canada, demonstrating our commitment to developing strong referees from coast to coast. Congratulations to both!"

The 50 officials were notified on May 30th following the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul, which was the final selection phase. The Wrestling competition will take place August 5 to August 11 (Day 10 to 16 of the Games) at the Champ-de-Mars Arena."

• Write up by Wrestling Canada

• Photos by Bill Bain