The IOA clarified that no such ban has been enforced and requested media personnel to verify information with the IOA leadership before publishing such reports.
Previously, the IOA had decided to fly Antim and her support staff back to India after an incident involving her sister attempting to impersonate her and gain unauthorized entry into the Athletes Village using Antim’s accreditation card. According to a complaint filed by the French authorities, Antim’s sister was caught trying to impersonate the wrestler and access the Athletes Village illegally.
The security staff at the Athletes Village detained Antim’s sister, and Antim was called in to provide a statement regarding the incident. Antim, who represented India in the women’s 53kg weight class, lost her pre-quarterfinal bout 0-10 to Turkey’s Zeynep Yetgh on Wednesday.
However, the IOA seems to have taken a serious view of this breach of security and protocol, leading to strict action in the case. According to sources, Antim had asked her sister to collect her belongings from the Athletes Village and bring them to the hotel where her coach and sister were staying.
Initially, Antim claimed that the situation had been resolved and that she would regain her accreditation soon. Now, she has released her side of the story in a video.
While the IOA has refuted reports of imposing a ban on Antim, the incident has raised concerns about the adherence to rules and regulations governing the Olympic Games.
The IOA’s clarification aims to address the confusion surrounding Antim’s status and emphasizes the importance of verifying information from official sources before disseminating it to the public.
The Paris Olympics organizers and the IOA are likely to investigate the incident thoroughly and take appropriate measures to ensure the integrity and security of the Games are maintained.
Athletes and their support staff are expected to comply with the established protocols and guidelines to maintain the sanctity of the Olympic movement.