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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes that wrestler Vinesh Phogat deserves to get at least a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The grappler scripted history by becoming the first Indian female wrestler to qualify for an Olympics final.
However, her hopes of winning the gold were shattered as she was disqualified ahead of the final bout for being around 100g overweight in the 50kg category. Ganguly opined that Phogat should receive a silver medal, given that she was within the weight limit on the road to the final.
Speaking at a media interaction, Ganguly said (via PTI):
"I don't know the exact rule, but I'm sure that when she reached the finals, she must have qualified properly. So when you go to the finals, it's either a Gold or Silver medal. Whether she was disqualified wrongfully or not, I don't know, but she deserves the Silver medal at least."
It is worth mentioning that Vinesh Phogat had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a shared silver medal following her disqualification. The verdict is expected to be announced on August 13.
"It is highly heartbreaking for Vinesh Phogat" - Ravichandran Ashwin
Reacting to Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Pairs Olympics wrestling final and her subsequent retirement from the sport, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin stated that it was a heartbreaking moment for the 29-year-old.
Ashwin suggested that Phogat would have won many medals for India, if not for the disheartening end to her career. Opening up on the importance of an event like the Olympics for an athlete, here's what the veteran said in his YouTube video (from 22:57):
"It is a very sad thing. Four years, eight years. It is meditation. It is a ritual for Olympic athletes. They have been there for so many years. She would have brought a medal back. She would have brought a lot of medals to our country. She has faced a lot of difficulties. Now, she has retired. It is highly heartbreaking for Vinesh Phogat."
Phogat was represented by four French lawyers in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Lawyers Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania were also present at the hearing, representing the Indian Olympics Association.
