ALL’S FAIR in love and war – but allegedly not in Olympic fencing.
And screams of delight sound turned to despair and anger as the world No.1 was eliminated from the men’s sabre event in Paris.
But Georgia’s Sandro Bazadze refused to leave the Olympic Games quietly.
The 30-year-old suffered a 15-14 defeat to Mohamed Amer of Egypt in their last-16 clash yesterday.
Following the end of the match, both players produced deafening screams in apparent celebration.
Bazadze was convinced that he landed the winning touch before his rival.
And he looked in complete shock when his rival was announced as the winner.
Spanish official Vanesa Chichon checked the video, and the ref still concluded that it was Amer who triumphed.
That left Bazadze absolutely raging as he furiously continued to shout at Chichon, who did well to blank him and his protests as she left the arena.
Bazadze suffered a semi-final loss to Aron Szilagyi at the last Games in Tokyo.
OLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024
And he blamed the referee for that as well as he unleashed his frustrations last night following his elimination.
He said: “For the second time, as in Tokyo, the referees kill me.
“In Tokyo they destroyed my life, almost finished my career.
“But I came back and became first in the world and prepare for the Olympic Games but she kills me.”
The emotional Bazadze then claimed that he was “done” in the sport.
He said: “My career is finished, it is done. How can I come back when referees are killing me all the time?
“She went and checked the video. I have trained for this for 21 years and she treats me like I am no one.
“When I asked her to explain she turns round and goes. The Olympic Games… fairness, where is fairness?”
He then added: “I came to the Olympics in bad shape in my life.
“I don’t know but I will not leave it like this I swear on my sons I will do something.”
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony – and now the Games really do begin.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.
Adam Peaty will be the headline act for Team GB as he goes for gold in the final of the 100m breaststroke (8.50pm).
A lot of eyes will also be on LeBron James, Stephen Curry and the Team USA men’s basketball team, who start their campaign against Nikola Jokic and Serbia (11.15am ET / 4.15pm BST).
There are not expected to be too many other British medal tilts on Sunday, but the women’s gymnastics team (all day) are going through qualification as are the rowing teams (from 8am).
The both the men’s (vs South Africa, 7.15pm) and women’s hockey teams (vs Spain 12.15pm) are both in action.
American swimming stars Carson Foster and Tori Huske are among a multitude of stars joining Adam Peaty in the pool from around 7pm BST / 2pm ET.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.