Tokyo Olympics – Vinesh Phogat vs WFI: The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has forwarded the reply of Vinesh Phogat to their internal disciplinary committee who will now decide on the action against the champion Indian wrestler. Phogat on Friday had submitted his reply to the federation. The copy of the reply by Phogat is in possession of InsideSport.co & the champion wrestler has denied the two charges and admitted 1 of the 3 charges. WFI spokesperson told InsideSport.co, disciplinary committee can also Vinesh for the hearing.
“Yes, we have received the reply from Vinesh & we will go through it and take decision accordingly. Reply now has been forwarded to the disciplinary committee & they will decide the way forward on it. Vinesh can also be called for the hearing”, confirmed WFI official involved with the process.
Tokyo Olympics: Judgement day for Vinesh Phogat as WFI will take decision on ‘Phogat’s reply to national federation’s charges’, follow LIVE Updates
Tokyo Olympics – Vinesh Phogat vs WFI: Suspended wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Friday sent her apology along with the replies to the WFI which had barred her from competitions on grounds of indiscipline during the Tokyo Olympics. Phogat, who exited from the Tokyo Games following her shock quarterfinal defeat, was suspended by the WFI for not staying and training with her Indian teammates and for sporting a singlet of her personal sponsor instead of an official one supplied by the Indian contingent.
Phogat has admitted that she inadvertently wore the wrong singlet and apologized for the mistake in her reply but at the same time denied charges of indiscipline and not training with her Indian teammates.
Charge 1: Vinesh was accused of indiscipline on account of not agreeing to stay & train with the Indian contingent at Olympics village.
Reply by Vinesh Lawyer: “The Athlete completely disagrees with the above-stated complaint & refutes the allegation in its entirety.”
“The Athlete did not stay separately from the Indian contingent, as even the athletics contingent was a part of the larger Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics 2020
The Athlete stayed with earlier arrived athletes from the contingent of India (as allotted at the Olympic Village) so that she could solely focus on her performance and not be grappling with the mental pressure of apprehension of contracting COVID-19 or breaking the protocols laid down.”
“The actions of the Athlete were genuine and well intentioned as, immediately after the rest of the wrestling contingent had undergone the quarantine period, the Athlete regularly joined the other female wrestlers for lunch and dinner every day from 31.07.2021 (post completion of quarantine period) till her stay at the Olympic Village.”
Tokyo Olympics: Judgement day for Vinesh Phogat as WFI will take decision on ‘Phogat’s reply to national federation’s charges’, follow LIVE Updates
Charge 2: Refusal to train with Indian contingent
Reply by Vinesh Lawyer: “The Athlete completely disagrees with the above-stated complaint & refutes the allegation in its entirety.”
“It is humbly submitted that the allegation of refusal to train with the other athletes of the Indian wrestling contingent are false & denied.”
“The fellow wrestlers of the Athlete had hesitation in discussing the shift of the training schedule with the head coach – Mr. Kuldeep Malik, the Athlete discussed and consulted with Mr. Kuldeep Malik for slight change in timings of her training. Mr. Malik showed full cooperation and permitted the Athlete to shift her training timings earlier than the scheduled timings from the Indian women wrestling contingent.”
“The Athlete on 03.08.2021 and 04.08.2021 trained with her fellow wrestler, Ms. Seema Bisla at 15:30 hrs JST at the training centre, therefore the allegation that the Athlete did not train with the Indian wrestling contingent is not factually correct,”
“The above stated actions of the Athlete were genuine, bona-fide and well intentioned solely with intention to allow the Athlete to perform to best of her abilities while keeping herself safe.”
Tokyo Olympics: Judgement day for Vinesh Phogat as WFI will take decision on ‘Phogat’s reply to national federation’s charges’, follow LIVE Updates
WFI Charge 3: Wearing the wrong singlet
Reply by Vinesh Lawyer: “The athlete hereby acknowledges the regretful error of not wearing the official Indian Olympic jersey/singlet as provided by IOA and the said error by the Athlete is solely attributable to the unintentional & incorrect planning by the Athlete.”
“It is pertinent to mention that the Athlete wore the official jersey/kit of India for all training sessions at the Olympic Village, including at her training sessions on August 2-3-4. The Athlete had been donning the full official kit (including t-shirts, track suit & shoes) at all times, even till before the start of her Olympic bout on 05.08.2021… The Athlete, amidst all the chaos that was happening with her body, could not ensure if she was carrying the official jersey (wrestling singlet) of India or not. The Athlete humbly and unconditionally apologises to WFI and IOA for not being able to wear the official jersey/singlet at her Olympic bout,” the reply said.
Tokyo Olympics: Judgement day for Vinesh Phogat as WFI will take decision on ‘Phogat’s reply to national federation’s charges’, follow LIVE Updates
World Wrestling Championship: According to a report by PTI, “WFI has received the reply and Vinesh has apologised. But it is very much possible that despite the apology, she may not still be allowed to travel to the World Championship,” a source, aware of the developments, told PTI.
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