Haryana government will recognise wrestler Vinesh Phogat as a medalist, even though she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 due to being overweight before her gold medal bout in the 50 kg category, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Thursday.
“Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and reached the final of the Olympics. She might not have been able to compete in the final due to some reason, but she is a champion for all of us,” Saini said in a post on X.
“Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medalist. All the respect, rewards, and facilities that the Haryana government offers an Olympic silver medallist will be extended to Vinesh Phogat as well,” he added.
Under its sports policy, the Haryana government awards Rs 6 crore to Olympic gold medalists, Rs 4 crore to silver medalists and Rs 2.5 crore to bronze medalists.
On Thursday, Phogat announced her retirement from international wrestling, stating she no longer had the strength to continue. She made history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian woman grappler to reach the gold medal bout in the 50 kg event.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics for exceeding the weight limit, describing her as a “champion among champions.” He also expressed confidence that Vinesh Phogat would come back stronger from this setback.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday outlined the steps the government took to support her preparation. Mandaviya mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with IOA President PT Usha and instructed her to take necessary action.
Earlier, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging her recent disqualification from the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In her appeal, Phogat has requested to be awarded the silver medal.
CAS has responded that it will issue its final verdict by Thursday.