Vinesh Phogat, a renowned Indian wrestler, returned from the Paris Olympics with a heavy heart after being denied a medal due to a failed weigh-in. This heartbreaking experience, which ultimately led to her retirement from the sport, took place more than a month ago. Phogat, who was competing in the 50kg freestyle category, was 100 grams over the weight limit and was eliminated from the Games, despite reaching the final. Her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a joint silver medal was also dismissed.
The drastic measures Phogat took to cut weight before the final resulted in dehydration, requiring her hospitalization. During this difficult time, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha visited Phogat in the hospital to show solidarity. A photo of their encounter was taken and posted on social media, garnering considerable attention.
However, Phogat has accused Usha of using the photo for political gain. In an interview with a local news channel, she expressed her disappointment, stating, “I don’t know what support I got there. PT Usha madam visited me at the hospital. One photo was clicked…Like you said, 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.”
Phogat further criticized the photo, claiming it was taken without her knowledge and was used as a tool for political posturing. She stated, “You are on a hospital bed, where you don’t know what’s happening in life outside, you are going through one of the worst phases of your life. At that place, just to show everyone you are standing with me, aap bina bataye photo kheench rahe ho, fir social media pe daal ke bol rahe ho hum saath mein khade hain (clicked a photo without telling me and then putting it on social media to say you are standing with me). That’s not how you show support. What was it more than (posturing)!”
