New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat continues to receive love and appreciation from all corners ever since her return from the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh missed out on winning a medal at the Paris Olympics in a heartbreaking manner after being disqualified from the competition on the day of her gold medal match in the women’s 50kg freestyle category due to being overweight.
Vinesh had scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics after recording three back-to-back victories on Day 1 of her event. However, she failed to make weight on Day 2 ahead of the final and was disqualified. She was stripped of her assured silver medal and denied an opportunity to fight for the gold.
However, despite returning home empty-handed, Vinesh received a grand welcome back home and was felicitated in a ceremony organised in her village in Balali, Haryana. Vinesh was showered with multiple gifts during the ceremony and was also presented with a gold medal for her heroics at the Paris Games.
The 29-year-old continues to receive support from all corners as recently a group of some former kabaddi and hockey players reached the wrestler’s residence in Balai with the holy water from river Ganga. Former kabaddi player Sandeep Dangi and his friends, who are also ex-athletes, carried Ganga Jal from Haridwar after completing their Kanwar Yatra.
In a video shared by news agency PTI, Dangi was seen getting emotional on meeting Vinesh and offered to wash her feet with Ganga Jal. However, Vinesh and her husband Somvir Rathee denied their request of washing the wrestler’s feet with the Holy water and said she would drink it instead. Rathi insisted Ganga Jal is holy and they cannot use it to wash Vinesh’s feet.
Watch ex-athletes carry Ganga Jal for Vinesh Phogat:
VIDEO | Former Kabaddi and hockey players reached wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s residence in Kharkhoda, Haryana earlier today with ‘Ganga Jal’ to show support and respect.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/1Fnk2wBVse
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 19, 2024
Vinesh had appealed for a joint silver medal to be awarded to her following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. However, her appeal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS on Monday released a 24-page document detailing the verdict in Phogat’s appeal.
The CAS stated that the onus was on the athlete to ensure she was under the permissible weight limit as there is no provision for any tolerance. The court also stated that it doesn’t have the power to award medals and that the decision to award medals rests solely with the IOC.
A group of former kabaddi and hockey players reached wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s residence in Balali village of Haryana with Ganga Jal to honour her and show their support. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
