A few hours before the women’s 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for not meeting weight requirements.
The opposition leaders’ catchphrase when criticizing the Narendra Modi-led administration over the stunning disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Olympics in Paris was “conspiracy.”
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala referred to it as a “black day” for Indian sports and recalled that wrestlers had demanded action against BJP politician and former wrestling federation chairman Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, with Vinesh Phogat leading the charge.
“Remember that this is the same Vinesh Phogat who was brought before the Parliament during its inauguration by the Delhi Police on the BJP government’s orders,” Surjevala said.
“How did her weight go up by 100 grams if it was OK the three times she battled and won all three in a single day? What else might be a conspiracy if this one? He asked.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the MP for Akali Dal, expressed shock and mistrust by saying, “I cannot believe what has transpired. That being said, it’s rather regrettable. I think there’s a plot… How is it feasible for a player of her caliber to be unaware of the significance of her weight?
Similar remarks were made by JMM MP Mahua Maji, who emphasized how implausible Phogat’s abrupt weight growth was.
Just before the finals, she noticed an abrupt 100-gram gain in weight after going through so many rounds. It’s difficult to accept this. What actions were her management and team taking? The opposition perceives a plot. It ought to be looked into,” Maji urged.
Sushmita Dev, the TMC MP, stated: “She is a champion, and for that, the entire country is proud.” Her Olympic qualification and her run to the final make me believe that there is a conspiracy. What caused her weight to rise (by 100 grams) right before the final?
The Lok Sabha was notified earlier in the day by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya that Vinesh Phogat was banned from the Olympics in Paris because he weighed more than 100 grams more than required.
According to Mandaviya, the weight for 50 kg women’s wrestling was calculated on Wednesday between 7:15 and 7:30 am for competitors and finalists. Vinesh’s weight was discovered to be 50 kilograms and 100 grams.
“Therefore, she was declared ineligible for the competition,” he stated.
However, Mandaviya came under fire from the opposition leaders for disclosing the money Vinesh Phogat received to help her prepare for the Olympics.
“As far as assistance for her preparation is concerned, the Government of India has provided all possible assistance to Vinesh Phogat as per her requirements,” Mandaviya stated in the Lok Sabha.
Experts in their respective professions have also been chosen as her personal staff, he added.
She is constantly accompanied by renowned Hungarian coach Voler Akos and physiotherapist Ashwini Patil. In addition, financial support was given to personal support staff, including sparring partners Shubham and Arvind, strength and conditioning experts for the Olympics, coach Woller Akos, physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil, strength and conditioning expert Wayne Lombard, and strength and conditioning expert Mayank Singh Garia,” he said.
According to Mandaviya, ₹70,45,775 in total funding was provided during the Paris Olympic cycle.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, argued that the government’s response was inadequate.
“It’s clear the sports minister has decided to make Vinesh Phogat the fall girl after listening to his remarks on her in the Lok Sabha today. She posted a series of questions on X, saying they were not answered. “Is it because she took this same government head-on in her quest for justice against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?” she asked.
“Will the physicians and support staff approved and chosen by the IOA be subject to a thorough investigation? Did PT Usha, the chairwoman, being an athlete herself, make sure Vinesh was continually watched to keep her well inside the division she was competing in? She penned a letter.
