Vinesh Phogat in Paris Olympics 2024: From wrestler's historic wins, disqualification, appeal to retirement
Here's reliving Vinesh Phogat's entire journey at the Paris Olympics 2024, where she was assured of a silver or gold but ended up winning none -
3) PM Modi and many react to Vinesh Phogat's DISQUALIFICATION
Soon, PM Modi reacted to the news and wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "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 epitomise resilience. It has always been your nature to take challenges head on. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you."
Many others such as Abhinav Bindra, PV Sindhu, etc. also reacted and sympathised with Vinesh.
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4) Vinesh Phogat HOSPITALISED
Soon after her disqualification news, Vinesh was rushed to the nearby medical facilities in the French capital. As she did everything she could to get her weight within the permissible limit, it dented her health severely.
"She is in the Olympic Village polyclinic getting intravenous drips to restore the levels. Her parameters are ok. How she is coping I do not know,” reported WION’s Sports Editor from Paris.
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5) Vinesh Phogat's replacement
With Vinesh's exit, the Paris Games organising committee released a statement revealing that Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinal bout, would compete against American wrestler Hildebrandt in the gold medal face-off, later on Wednesday. Eventually, the American ended with gold with the Cuban luckily getting silver. Meanwhile, Yui Susaki beat Livach in the bronze medal face-off. Thus, all of Vinesh's opponents -- whom she beat easily -- benefitted from her disqualification and got another chance.
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6) Vinesh Phogat discharged, appeals to CAS
Later on Wednesday, Vinesh was discharged from the hospital and was reportedly doing fine. During her stay in the hospital, PT Usha -- IOA President -- also met the star wrestler. PM Modi had urged Usha to explore full range of options to help Vinesh’s case. Post this, Vinesh filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), challenging her appeal and asked for a joint silver medal.
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7) Vinesh Phogat announces retirement
Soon after her appeal, Vinesh stunned one and all by retiring from wrestling. She wrote an emotional message on social media and said, "Mother, wrestling won and I lost to it, please forgive me. Your dreams, my strength, everything is shattered, I don't have any more strength left in me."
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9) Vinesh Phogat's appeal dismissed
After several delays, and despite hiring a top lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, CAS dismissed Vinesh's appeal exactly a week later post her disqualification, on Aug 14 (Wednesday).
"The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 is dismissed," read the CAS statement with the decision from sole arbitrator Annabelle Bennett.
Even the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also expressed shock and disbelief over the decision announced by CAS in a statement. "The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator," read the IOA statement.
Vinesh, meanwhile, is expected to land in India on Aug 17.
(Photograph:X)