Our Bureau
Paris
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics has taken a heartbreaking turn, as she has been disqualified from the Women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event due to being slightly overweight. Phogat, who had previously made history by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman and reaching the finals, was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in on August 7, just before her scheduled match against the United States’ Sarah Hildebrandt.
Phogat’s disqualification has sent shockwaves through the Indian sports community, particularly as she was poised to secure a medal for her country. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the news, stating, “Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50kg this morning.” The disqualification not only dashed Phogat’s hopes for Olympic glory but also marked a significant setback for India’s wrestling ambitions at the Games.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi instantly took stock of the situation, reaching out to PT Usha, the president of the IOA, to seek a comprehensive review of Phogat’s disqualification. Modi urged Usha to explore all possible options to contest the decision and file a strong protest if it could benefit Phogat’s case. This intervention highlights the government’s commitment to supporting its athletes in times of crisis and reflects the significant national pride attached to Phogat’s achievements.
As the Indian contingent grapples with the fallout from this incident, the focus now shifts to how the IOA and the government will respond. Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday informed Lok Sabha that a strong protest against disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been lodged by IOA and apprised further that PM Narendra Modi has spoken to IOA chief in Paris for exploring all options to help the wrestler.
