Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics 2024
Vinesh Phogat Disqualified From Paris Olympics 2024
Vinesh Phogat, a trailblazing Indian wrestler, faced a significant setback at the Paris Olympics 2024 after being disqualified from the Women’s 50 kg wrestling category due to being overweight. Phogat, who had already secured a silver medal for India, was slated to compete for gold against Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA on August 12, 2024. In a surprising turn of events, Phogat’s disqualification means she will return from Paris without any medal. BJP MP Karan Bhushan, son of former WFI President Brij Bhushan, expressed sorrow over the incident, stating, “This is a loss for the country. The Federation will review the situation and explore possible actions.”
Phogat’s uncle, Mahavir Phogat, conveyed the family’s distress, saying, “I have no words. The nation had high hopes for a gold medal. While rules are strict, slight weight discrepancies are sometimes overlooked. I urge the public to stay hopeful—Vinesh will definitely secure a medal in the future. We will start preparing her for the next Olympics.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to IOA President PT Usha to get detailed information about the situation and to discuss potential actions to support Phogat. Sources indicate that PM Modi has requested Usha to consider all options and to file a strong protest if it could benefit Phogat’s case.
In response to the disqualification, Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra commented, “Completely gutted. Sometimes you don’t need a gold medal to be a true champion in the eyes of the people.”
