Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has strongly criticized former wrestler Vinesh Phogat for blaming the association for her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Usha asserted that the responsibility lies with Phogat’s team, not the IOA.
Phogat, who recently entered politics and won her debut election in Haryana, had accused the IOA of mishandling her disqualification. However, Usha refuted these claims, stating that the IOA had provided Phogat with all the necessary support.
“She was a sportsperson. She should carry the qualities of a sportsman,” Usha said. “We all wanted medals from her. After meeting her, we went to the World Wrestling Federation president to protest. They said, ‘rules are rules.'”
Usha emphasized that Phogat’s team was aware of the weight regulations and should have taken appropriate measures to ensure compliance. “For us, it’s new, only 100 gms, but for them it is not new. This had happened earlier as well so she should know what to do, and how to tackle it,” Usha said.
Phogat was disqualified from the 50kg category women’s freestyle final for being 100 gm overweight in the second weigh-in. She challenged the verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but was unsuccessful.
Usha expressed disappointment that Phogat had chosen to criticize the IOA instead of acknowledging her own team’s shortcomings. “It is not our or our sport science doctor’s fault, it is her and her team’s fault but still, she criticises us,” Usha said.
Phogat’s disqualification ended her hopes of becoming the first woman Indian wrestler to win silver or gold in the Olympics. She announced her retirement from the sport shortly after the incident.
