In an unfortunate turn of events, newest toast of the nation, wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the 50 kg women’s event for being 100-150 gm overweight for the competition. This, when Vinesh was supposed to fight in the final of the category against USA girl Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA on Wednesday evening.
Not only it is a massive blow to Vinesh, but the entire country who were hoping for nothing than a gold medal. Now, that chance is blown up, the dreams are shattered. Even before we get into ‘how did it happen’, we should get into, ‘whose fault is it’? The Olympics is the biggest stage for any athlete, and to miss out on a medal like this is a big blot on the entire country.
Someone needs to be held accountable, and it cannot be Vinesh Phogat. She is a wrestler, and gave it her all on the mat. Beat Japanese Yui Susaki, who had never been beaten before in her international career. So, it is the job of the WFI, or the SAI or the private players involved?
As soon as the Paris Olympics is over, the blame game will obviously start. The two biggest political parties will get into heated debates, but there’d be no conclusion. But the initiative to set the accountability will have to come now, from the concerned parties, whoever it is. In the end, we must just remember, it is not the athlete who is at fault. It is the wrestler who has not only missed on a first Olympics medal, but also India, who could have pocketed their first gold medal in Paris, after a string of disappointments.
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