Gymnast Yuri van Gelder has taken his battle for reinstatement to the Netherlands’ Olympic team to a Dutch courtroom, demanding a business class ticket back to Rio just days after he was sent home for a “grave breach” of team rules.
The 2005 world champion on the rings was thrown off the team this week after a late-night trip to Rio during which, according to the country’s gymnastics association, he drank alcohol before arriving back in the athletes’ village early Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Dutch gymnast sent home after night of drinking
Van Gelder, also known as the “Lord of the Rings”, was apparently celebrating having made the finals in the individual rings apparatus on Saturday. According to a news release on the Netherlands Olympic Committee’s website, he left the Olympic Village Saturday night, not returning until Sunday morning. He admitted he consumed alcohol during his night out.
Friday’s high-stakes court appearance was the latest twist in 33-year-old Van Gelder’s turbulent sports career which, alongside his world title, has also featured a ban for cocaine use.
In court documents, Van Gelder says he was denied legal advice or the possibility of appeal.
Since being sent home from Brazil, van Gelder has been mocked on Twitter under the hashtag #LordoftheDrinks.
– With files from Global News
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