Vinesh Phogat was spotted leaving the Paris Olympics Games Village on Monday following her impressive showing that saw her make a remarkable run to the finals.
The decorated wrestler is anticipated to return to India with Olympic bronze medalist Aman Sehrawat after the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to sources relayed to IANS, both athletes are expected to arrive at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport by 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Vinesh’s husband, Somveer Rathee, in a conversation with NDTV, indicated that the exact return date for Vinesh is yet to be confirmed.
Following her outstanding achievements, which included securing a spot in the finals, Vinesh faced disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle gold medal match. This decision came after it was discovered that she was 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in conducted on the day of the match.
The ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has granted additional time to Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett to issue a ruling in the case of Vinesh Phogat versus United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee. The decision is expected by 5:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024.
As the CAS prepared to announce its verdict regarding Vinesh’s appeal against her disqualification, the sports community in India anxiously awaited the outcome. Vinesh, who had advanced to the finals of the women’s 50kg freestyle event with a series of decisive victories, including a win over Japanese wrestling star Yui Susaki, was unable to compete in the gold medal match against the United States’ Sarah Hildebrandt after being found over the weight limit during the mandatory morning weigh-in.
Shocked and disheartened by the sudden turn of events, Vinesh lodged an appeal with the CAS the following Wednesday, seeking a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had been elevated to the final after Vinesh’s disqualification.
In the wake of her disqualification, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling, expressing that she no longer possessed the will to continue. The announcement drew support from sports figures worldwide, standing in solidarity with the 29-year-old wrestler, who was participating in her third Olympic Games.
Prior to her journey to Paris, Vinesh had been a leading voice in a protest, joined by fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, against the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The trio, along with several other athletes, accused Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.