Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken swift action following the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics. He has reached out to PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), to discuss the incident and explore possible avenues to support Vinesh in her Olympic journey.
Standing Up for Vinesh
Vinesh Phogat was set to compete against the USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt in the 50kg wrestling gold-medal match at the Champ de Mars. However, she was disqualified after narrowly missing the weight requirement during the mandatory weigh-in on the morning of the bout. Despite her determined efforts, including jogging, skipping, and cycling throughout the night, Vinesh was unable to shed the excess weight in time.
Sources indicate that Prime Minister Modi has urged PT Usha to file a formal protest regarding the disqualification, hoping it could potentially aid Vinesh’s case.
A Message of Encouragement
In a heartfelt message on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his support for Vinesh, acknowledging her resilience and inspiring spirit. He wrote, “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. At the same time, I know that you epitomize resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you.”
Official Statement from the IOA
The Indian Olympics Association released a statement expressing regret over Vinesh’s disqualification. The statement noted that despite the team’s best efforts through the night, she was a few grams over the 50kg limit at the weigh-in. The IOA also requested respect for Vinesh’s privacy and emphasized the need to focus on ongoing competitions.
Vinesh’s Journey
Vinesh Phogat’s road to the final was nothing short of remarkable. She overcame several formidable opponents, including defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the first round, followed by victories over Ukraine’s Oksana Livach and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzmán in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
Vinesh has previously faced heartbreak at the Olympics, with quarter-final exits at both the 2016 Rio Games and the 2020 Tokyo Games. Despite this recent setback, her determination and skill continue to make her a source of inspiration for many.
As the situation unfolds, the support from Prime Minister Modi and the IOA highlights the nation’s commitment to standing by its athletes and fighting for their rights on the international stage.
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