Another kick to the Indian sports lovers, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, has said in the Lok Sabha that wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been ruled out of the Paris Olympics due to the excess body weight of 100 gms.
Speaking to the House, Mandaviya said that Phogat First, who was taking part in the women’s 50 kg category, was weighed again today and found to weigh 50 Kg and 100 gm, having violated the United World Wrestling UWW rules. According to the regulations, the weight for the 50kg category has to be precise: 50 kilograms.
After an Olympic protocol issue regarding weight requirements, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Paris Olympics as she exceeded the weight by 100 gm. Though Vinesh was participating in the 50 kg category, she had to be weighed precisely 50 kg for the competition, MP Mansukh Mandaviya, informing the Lok Sabha.
The disqualification leaves her very disappointed, which is even more painful when, a couple of years back, Vinesh Phogat made history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman wrestler to make an Olympic final. But her dreams of clinching a medal faded away because the victory margin was a mere 100 grams difference between her nails and the winners.
The minister disclosed that the Indian government had offered all the help to Phogat, from providing her personal staff to prepare her for the competition. Sadly, she missed this by the tiniest of margins by just 100 grams, which I am pretty sure killed her to be disqualified.
The Indian Olympic Association has formally complained to the United World Wrestling Association about this issue, thus making a pretty big stand. However, it still remains to be seen whether Vinesh Phogat would be allowed to contest the final phase. While the nation has lost this fight, Indians are still in the Paris Olympics, and the remaining anticipate delivering the eagerly awaited medals.
