The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh has expressed his disappointment over the potential loss of six medals in wrestling at the Paris Olympics, blaming disruptions in the sport over the last 15-16 months. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict in Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal, stressing that the medal belongs to India, not just to the individual. Singh also shared his confidence in the outcome, expecting the CAS to rule in India’s favor. The CAS verdict, initially scheduled for August 13th, has been extended to August 16th.
Singh also addressed the weight management issue, stating that the athlete’s responsibility lies in maintaining their weight category, emphasizing the toll that rapid weight gain and loss can have on an athlete’s body. Despite the challenges, Singh confirmed that Vinesh Phogat was provided with all the necessary support, including training with a foreign coach in Hungary.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg final at the Paris Olympics after exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams. She subsequently appealed to the CAS to award her the silver medal. The CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris, specifically dedicated to handling Olympic-related cases, to oversee the verdict.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has clarified that the responsibility for weight management lies with each athlete and their respective coaches. The IOA also emphasized that each Indian athlete at the Paris Olympics had their own support team, working diligently with them for several years.
The WFI’s statement reflects the ongoing debate surrounding the performance of Indian wrestlers at the Paris Olympics. Singh’s comments underscore the impact of internal conflicts within the sport and the importance of the CAS decision for the nation’s medal tally.
