'Taken without...consent': Vinesh Phogat blasts PT Usha over Olympics photo-op
Congress leader Vinesh Phogat has alleged that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha took a picture with her on a hospital bed without her consent. This incident occurred after Phogat's disqualification from the women's 50kg wrestling gold medal bout at the Olympics due to being 100gms overweight during the weigh-in process. "Just to show everyone you are standing with me you clicked a photo without telling me...then putting it on social media...That's not how you show support," Phogat said.
Phogat's disqualification and hospitalization at Paris Olympics
Despite her efforts to meet the weight requirement, including not sleeping and cutting her hair, Phogat was found overweight. This led to her disqualification under United World Wrestling rules, nullifying all previous results. The extreme measures taken to reduce her weight resulted in exhaustion, necessitating medical attention at the Paris Games village. It was here that Usha visited Phogat and assured support, a moment captured in a photograph later shared on social media.
Phogat expresses disappointment over IOA's support
Phogat said that she got no real support from IOA and that that photo op was all for show. "One photo was clicked...in politics a lot happens behind closed doors. Similarly, politics happened there (in Paris) as well. That's why I was heartbroken. Otherwise a lot of people are saying 'don't leave wrestling'. For what should I continue! There is politics everywhere," she added.
Photo from the Paris Games village
Phogat announces retirement and enters politics
Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) later rejected an appeal filed by the IOA for a joint silver medal on her behalf. Upon returning to India, she received a warm welcome and was awarded a gold medal in her village Balali. Shortly after, she joined the Indian National Congress and is set to contest the Haryana Assembly Elections from the Julana constituency.
