Orlando Cruz Cruz (DOM), Elizabeth Gonzalez (MEX), Mariano Dos Santos (BRA), Matthieu Bataille (FRA), Ofer Ben Zvi (ISR) and Lubomir Petr (AUS) werę all on the tatami at the Champs-de-Mars. In fact it was Mariano Dos Santos who refereed Teddy Riner’s epic final, the one which cemented his place in the record books as the greatest judoka of all time. Dos Santos called Teddy’s ippon and signalled the victory to assign a 3rd individual Olympic title to the great Frenchman. So why have these referees not taken some time away to rest, reflect and recover? Why are they in Lima so soon, after all it is a cadet event and not a senior event.
The 6 Olympic referees agreed unanimously that, “It’s a worlds! It is as important for the cadets as for the seniors; each generation is important and we must continue to apply the rules at every age. A principle of real education is that it doesn’t start only at the top. It must be everywhere and for everyone.
It’s also important to have a mix of referees at events such as this, for learning purposes, for the referees who may well be officiating in Los Angeles in 4 years time. It is good to be able to say that we have the same standards at the Olympics as we have at cadet events, the same understanding of the rules."
"This event is part of the athletes’ history and so it is special for us to be here and be included in their stories. We will watch them grow and develop and no doubt we will have the opportunity to referee many of them again. It is an honour for us.”
Elisabeth Gonzalez noted, “In all of Panamerica, I’m first woman to go to the Olympics as a referee. This level of event helped me to develop and so I value this stage but it’s also that I want to be visible, to be a good example for the next Panamaerican referees, especially the women who, until now, weren’t sure it was possible.”
The last points made by the whole team are ones which require digestion, “These young athletes are so fast, so flexibile and it makes our job very difficult. It is often a tougher job to referee the cadets than the seniors; it is a challenge for us. We found our equilibrium at the Games but we have to find that same feeling with a different equilibrium in these less refined categories.
Emotions also play a part and we all know that with lack of control here, we lose everything in the future. We are partly here to help them control this side of themselves and help them to reach their best level. It is a matter of education, patience, consistency and care.”
This team of referees has arrived with an all-in attitude, ready to assist less experienced referees, to work with the young judoka to add value to their judo education, and to help the coaches find their balance in a challenging and naturally emotional environment.