NEW DELHI: Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said India Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a strong protest against disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat and informed Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally spoken to IOA chief in Paris to explore full range of options to help the wrestler.
Making a statement in the Lower House, the sports minister confirmed that Phogat was disqualified as her weight exceeded the permissible limit by 100 grams.Mandaviya said the government has helped Phogat by providing her the best support group, personal staff as per her need and all possible training facilities.
In a shocking turn of events, Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics after she was found overweight by some grams ahead of her women’s 50kg final. The news of Phogat’s disqualification triggered protests inside Parliament with some leaders demanding a thorough probe into the matter that left India heartbroken.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released a statement on Wednesday addressing Vinesh’s exit from the Games due to being overweight and asked to respect the privacy of the grappler. After being disqualified from the event, Vinesh will be placed last in the competition.
“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the IOA statement read.
Politicians cutting across party lines came out in support of the wrestler, who had made the country proud by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in the event.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in consoling the crestfallen wrestler.
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing,” PM Modi said on his X handle.
PM Modi also hailed Phogat’s resilience and lauded her for taking challenges head-on.
“I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. “Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” PM Modi further said.
President Droupadi Murmu said wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s “extraordinary feats” at the Paris Olympics have thrilled every Indian and made the country proud. “While we all share her disappointment at the disqualification, she remains a champion in the hearts of 1.4 billion people,” Murmu said.
‘There should be thorough investigation’
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded a thorough investigation into the “technical reasons” for wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympics.
“There should be a thorough investigation into the technical reasons behind Vinesh Phogat not being able to take part in the final and the truth and the real reason behind it should come to the fore,” Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.
‘This misfortune is merely an exception’
Union home minister Amit Shah said the setback suffered by wrestler Vinesh Phogat has certainly broken the hopes of millions of Indians but he is sure she will bounce back to be the winner she always is.
“Vinesh Phogat’s setback in the Olympics has certainly broken the hopes of millions of Indians. She has a brilliant sporting career, shining with the glory of defeating the world champion.
“This misfortune is merely an exception in her trailblazing career, from which I am sure she will bounce back to be the winner she always is. Our best wishes and support are always with her,” Amit Shah wrote on X.
‘Vinesh is not one to give up’
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed Phogat’s disqualification as “unfortunate” and hoped the Indian Olympic Association will strongly challenge this decision. The Congress leader expressed confidence that Phogat will come back stronger to the wrestling arena.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Vinesh is not one to give up, we are confident that she will come back stronger to the wrestling arena. You have always made the country proud Vinesh. Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength.”
(With inputs from agencies)
Making a statement in the Lower House, the sports minister confirmed that Phogat was disqualified as her weight exceeded the permissible limit by 100 grams.Mandaviya said the government has helped Phogat by providing her the best support group, personal staff as per her need and all possible training facilities.
In a shocking turn of events, Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics after she was found overweight by some grams ahead of her women’s 50kg final. The news of Phogat’s disqualification triggered protests inside Parliament with some leaders demanding a thorough probe into the matter that left India heartbroken.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released a statement on Wednesday addressing Vinesh’s exit from the Games due to being overweight and asked to respect the privacy of the grappler. After being disqualified from the event, Vinesh will be placed last in the competition.
“It is with regret that the Indian contingent shares news of the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class. Despite the best efforts by the team through the night, she weighed in a few grams over 50 kg this morning. No further comments will be made by the contingent at this time. The Indian team requests you respect Vinesh’s privacy. It would like to focus on the competitions on hand,” the IOA statement read.
Politicians cutting across party lines came out in support of the wrestler, who had made the country proud by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in the event.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in consoling the crestfallen wrestler.
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India’s pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today’s setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing,” PM Modi said on his X handle.
PM Modi also hailed Phogat’s resilience and lauded her for taking challenges head-on.
“I know that you epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. “Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” PM Modi further said.
President Droupadi Murmu said wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s “extraordinary feats” at the Paris Olympics have thrilled every Indian and made the country proud. “While we all share her disappointment at the disqualification, she remains a champion in the hearts of 1.4 billion people,” Murmu said.
‘There should be thorough investigation’
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded a thorough investigation into the “technical reasons” for wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympics.
“There should be a thorough investigation into the technical reasons behind Vinesh Phogat not being able to take part in the final and the truth and the real reason behind it should come to the fore,” Yadav said in a post in Hindi on X.
‘This misfortune is merely an exception’
Union home minister Amit Shah said the setback suffered by wrestler Vinesh Phogat has certainly broken the hopes of millions of Indians but he is sure she will bounce back to be the winner she always is.
“Vinesh Phogat’s setback in the Olympics has certainly broken the hopes of millions of Indians. She has a brilliant sporting career, shining with the glory of defeating the world champion.
“This misfortune is merely an exception in her trailblazing career, from which I am sure she will bounce back to be the winner she always is. Our best wishes and support are always with her,” Amit Shah wrote on X.
‘Vinesh is not one to give up’
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed Phogat’s disqualification as “unfortunate” and hoped the Indian Olympic Association will strongly challenge this decision. The Congress leader expressed confidence that Phogat will come back stronger to the wrestling arena.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Vinesh is not one to give up, we are confident that she will come back stronger to the wrestling arena. You have always made the country proud Vinesh. Even today the whole country stands with you as your strength.”
(With inputs from agencies)