07 august 2024 : Industrialist Anand Mahindra expressed his dismay today regarding the disqualification of India’s prominent wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, from the Paris Olympic Games, wishing it were merely a “bad dream.”
“NO! NO! NO! I hope to awaken from this nightmare and discover it is not true,” he conveyed on X shortly after Vinesh Phogat, competing in the 50kg freestyle wrestling category, was disqualified from the gold medal match due to exceeding the weight limit for her event.
The Indian coach disclosed that she was found to be overweight by a mere 100 grams this morning. Despite the small margin, the regulations do not permit any exceptions.
Typically, she competes in the 53 kg category but had reduced her weight to 50 kg for the Paris Olympics.
Earlier on Tuesday, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final of a wrestling event at the Olympic Games.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commented on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, stating that “today’s setback is painful.”
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You embody India’s pride and serve as an inspiration to every Indian. This setback is indeed disheartening. I wish I could articulate the depth of despair I feel,” he remarked in a post on X.
“Nonetheless, I recognize your resilience. You have always confronted challenges head-on. Come back stronger! We are all supporting you,” he added.
Sources indicate that PM Modi has reached out to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha to gather information regarding the disqualification and to discuss potential options for addressing Ms. Phogat’s situation.
He has also urged her to thoroughly investigate all available avenues to assist the wrestler and to file a robust protest concerning the Olympic disqualification.