New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling (UWW) regarding Vinesh Phogats disqualification from the Paris Olympics. In his statement, Mandaviya emphasized that the government provided all necessary support to Phogat, including personal staff, to assist her in her Olympic journey.More on the Disqualification detailsIndian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being 100 grams overweight. Competing in the 50 kg category, her weight needed to be exactly 50 kg according to UWW rules, which mandate daily weigh-ins for the respective categories, Mandaviya explained. hOn August 7, 2024, during the weigh-in for the 50 kg womens wrestling category, Vineshs weight was recorded at 50.1 kg. As a result, she was declared ineligible to compete, he added.Vinesh Phogats historic achievement and setbackOn Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final. However, her achievement was overshadowed by her disqualification the next morning due to being slightly overweight during the weigh-in. Phogat, who was 2 kg overweight the night before her gold medal match against the USs Sarah Hildebrandt, worked tirelessly through the night to shed the excess weight.Despite her efforts, she fell short by just 100 grams, leading to her disqualification. This effort also led to her hospitalization due to dehydration. The Indian Olympic Association has officially protested Phogats disqualification with the International Wrestling Federation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed IOA President PT Usha to take appropriate action to address the issue.
