"Responsibility of weight management is that of the athlete" - PT Usha defends IOA's medical team after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification at Paris 2024
President of the Indian Olympic Association PT Usha has stated that any accountability for Vinesh Phogat's disqualification at the Paris 2024 Olympics lies with the athlete. Vinesh was disqualified from the women's 50kg wrestling final on August 7 for exceeding the stipulated weight requirement by 100 grams.
Speaking on the fiasco, Usha has said that the IOA's medical team and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, must not be blamed. She believes it was Phogat and her coaching team's responsibility to ensure she meets weight before her bout.
"The responsibility of weight management of athletes in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo is that of each athlete and his or her coach and NOT that of the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team," Usha said in a statement (via NDTV).
She further expressed that several athletes had their personal teams in Paris and hate towards Dr. Pardiwala is unwarranted.
"Each Indian athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in such sport had his or her own support team. These support teams have been working with the athletes over so many years," said Usha. "The hate directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, is unacceptable and worthy of condemnation."
Vinesh Phogat became the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the final of an Olympic Games. However, in a heartbreak, the 29-year-old was disqualified from the final on the morning of the bout. Though she tried everything possible to make weight, including cutting off her hair, she fell short by 100 grams.
Decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal to the CAS post-Paris Olympics 2024 disqualification lingers
A collective Paris Olympics 2024 dream for both India and Vinesh Phogat came crashing down after her disqualification. However, a glimmer of hope still hangs by a thread.
Following her disqualification, Phogat and her team submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The appeal was for a joint silver medal to be awarded to the Indian wrestler.
A much-awaited decision by the entire country was expected to be announced on August 10. However, the wait has since been prolonged further, with it now being anticipated on August 13 instead.