The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha, has defended the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer, Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, from blame for wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the women’s 50kg final event at the Paris Olympics. In a statement released on Sunday, Usha stated that the responsibility for weight management in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies squarely with each athlete and their personal coaching team.
The IOA emphasized that athletes and their coaches are accountable for ensuring they meet the required weight categories in these sports. The IOA clarified that the responsibility of weight management does not fall on Dr. Pardiwala and his team, who were appointed several months prior to the Games.
The primary role of Dr. Pardiwala’s team was to provide support in the recovery process and manage any injuries sustained by athletes during and following their competitive events. The IOA medical team was also put in place to offer assistance to athletes who lacked access to their own personal team of nutritionists and physiotherapists.
Usha condemned the hate directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, urging people to consider all facts before reaching conclusions. She stated that the team was designed to support athletes who did not have their own team of nutritionists and physiotherapists, ensuring all athletes had the necessary support to maintain their health and well-being throughout the Games.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 50kg wrestling final for exceeding the weight limit. She later appealed her disqualification with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and requested to be awarded a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category.
