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Vinesh Phogat announced retirement from wrestling after she was disqualified from the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics. She appealed to be considered for the silver medal but the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) rejected it citing rules were followed in making the decision.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has expressed frustration over her experience at the Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified from competing in the gold medal match due to being 100 grams over the 50 kg weight limit. Her attempts to rapidly cut weight led to severe dehydration, requiring hospitalization. The support she received from the Indian Olympics Association (IOA) Chief, PT Usha, has come under scrutiny.
Phogat claims that despite Usha visit to the hospital and the subsequent social media post featuring a photo of them together, she felt unsupported. According to Phogat, the gesture appeared to be more about politics than genuine assistance. She described the situation as disheartening and accused the actions of being a superficial attempt to garner attention rather than offering real help.
I don’t know what support I received there,” Phogat said. PT Usha madam visited me at the hospital and a photo was taken. It seemed like a political move, as a lot happens behind closed doors in politics. That’s why I was heartbroken. People keep telling me to continue in wrestling, but with such politics everywhere, I wonder why I should.
Phogat further elaborated on her disappointment, revealing that she was unaware of the photo being taken until it appeared on social media. She felt that the act of posting the photo was a superficial display meant to show solidarity rather than providing meaningful support during a challenging time. Since the Olympics, Phogat has shifted her focus to politics and is now contesting the Haryana Assembly elections as a candidate for the Congress party.
IOA support for CAS appeal was slow: Vinesh phogat
In a recent interview, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat shared her frustrations about the lack of support she received from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) during the Paris Olympics. Phogat was disqualified from the gold medal match after weighing in 100 grams over the 50 kg limit. Her extreme weight-cutting efforts led to severe dehydration, requiring hospitalization.
Phogat revealed that the IOA support for her appeal to overturn the disqualification was slow and seemed more like an afterthought. She had to take matters into her own hands, personally filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in hopes of securing a silver medal. According to Phogat, the IOA involvement appeared to be merely a superficial gesture rather than proactive support during her critical time.
She explained, “Harish Salve Sir joined the case a day later. The appeal was filed by me, not by India. The lawyers in Paris acted on my behalf. The Indian government wasn’t directly involved; they seemed more like a third party. Associations and governments send athletes to represent the country at every event. They seemed more interested in media coverage than in providing real support.
Phogat also criticized Sanjay Singh, the president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), suggesting that he was not trustworthy and that the WFI was still under the influence of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, which she found troubling. After the disappointment in Paris, where she was eliminated from the gold medal match and later had her appeal for a joint silver medal dismissed, Phogat announced her retirement. Her experience left her feeling heartbroken and disillusioned, viewing the situation as politically charged and fraught with inefficacy.
Vinesh joins politics
Even though IOA filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), a pain-stricken Vinesh announced retirement from wrestling a day after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics. A few days later, Vinesh got another setback. CAS rejected her appeal for a joint silver medal. A teary-eyed Vinesh returned to India to a hero welcome and joined the Indian National Congress to launch her career in politics.
Vinesh Phogat Slams PT Usha, Accuses IOA Chief of Politics During Paris Olympics
Vinesh Phogat, one of India premier wrestlers, has recently shared her deep sense of disappointment following a disheartening experience at the Paris Olympics. The heartache stemmed from her failure to make weight for the 50kg freestyle wrestling final, coming up short by a mere 100 grams. This close miss not only deprived her of a potential gold medal but also led her to announce her retirement from competitive wrestling.
In an effort to salvage some recognition for her performance, Vinesh appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting to be awarded a joint silver medal, given that she had already secured a place in the final. Sadly, her appeal was denied. The extreme measures she undertook to meet the weight limit led to severe dehydration, ultimately resulting in her hospitalization.
Vinesh experience underscores the immense physical and emotional toll that competitive sports can exact on athletes, especially when they are so close to achieving their dreams.
PT Usha Hospital Visit and Social Media Backlash
During this difficult time, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha visited Vinesh Phogat in the hospital, a gesture intended to convey support. A photo of Usha by Vinesh hospital bed quickly surfaced on social media, attracting widespread attention. Vinesh has since expressed her disillusionment with this gesture, suggesting it was more about political maneuvering than genuine support.
In an interview with a local news outlet, as reported by the Times of India, Vinesh voiced her frustration. I don’t know what support I received. PT Usha madam visited me in the hospital and a photo was taken… In politics, much happens behind closed doors. The same kind of politics occurred there (in Paris). which is why I was heartbroken. Many people are telling me not to leave wrestling, but why should I continue? There is politics everywhere.
Phogat, a multiple gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games, felt her privacy and vulnerability were exploited. She was distressed that the photo was taken without her consent and shared publicly, believing it was intended to project a false image of solidarity. You’re in a hospital bed, grappling with one of the worst phases of your life. To show everyone you’re standing with me, you take a photo without informing me and then post it on social media, claiming you’re with me. That’s not how you show support. What more than posturing was it?” Vinesh explained, reflecting her deep frustration.
More than a month after this painful episode, Vinesh has turned a new page in her life. She recently joined the Congress party, marking her foray into the political arena.
