Conspiracy theories abound around the wrestler’s disqualification
The 2024 Paris Olympics had been a rollercoaster ride for Indian sports enthusiasts, filled with both moments of triumph and heartbreak. One such heartbreaking incident was the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the women’s 50kg final, just hours before her chance to clinch the coveted gold medal.
As the news spread like wildfire, social media erupted with a flurry of conspiracy theories, leaving the nation in a state of bewilderment. Was this merely a case of bad luck, or was there a deeper, nefarious plot at play?
Vinesh Phogat’s trailblazing journey
Vinesh Phogat’s journey at the Paris Olympics had been nothing short of remarkable. She defeated four-time world champion Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki in the first round, before taking down Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-final. Vinesh’s performances had captivated the nation, and her impending gold medal match against American Sarah Hildebrandt had ignited a fervent sense of pride and anticipation.
However, the excitement turned to utter disbelief when news broke that Vinesh Phogat had been disqualified from the final due to being overweight by a mere 100 grams or so. This news sent shockwaves through the Indian sports community, with many questioning how such a seasoned athlete and her entire team of support staff could have been caught off guard by something as seemingly trivial as a weight discrepancy.
Conspiracy theories emerge
As the dust settled, a chorus of voices emerged, each with their own theory about the circumstances surrounding Vinesh’s disqualification. Some pointed to a deep-rooted conspiracy, harkening back to the case of Narsingh Yadav, another Indian wrestler who had been subjected to a doping scandal during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Others speculated that Vinesh’s involvement in the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan had somehow led to this outcome.
In the midst of the growing speculation, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president, Adille Sumariwalla, stepped forward to address the concerns. He categorically dismissed the conspiracy theories, stating that the issue was a matter of “technicality” and should not be politicised. Sumariwalla revealed that Vinesh had always participated in the 53 kg category before making the switch to 50 kg, and the weight discrepancy was a common challenge faced by athletes in such scenarios.
Having made her Olympic debut in 2016 in the 48 kg category, Phogat stepped up a level to the 50 kg category, winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games. The shift to the 53 kg category was a natural step-up, even winning a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships in this weight category.
However, it can be said that her protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh threw her future into uncertainty. In her time on the sidelines, Antim Panghal rose to fame, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships. This won India a quota for the Paris Olympics in the 53 kg category, and gave Panghal the right to represent India in the category.
Needless to say, this left Phogat on unsteady ground. Left with uncertainty on whether there would be a trial for the 53 kg category or not, Phogat gambled on entering herself into the 50 kg category, and the massive weight cuts it would involve.
It is worth noting that Antim Panghal is likely to face deportation from the Olympics after breaching rules in trying to smuggle her sister in.
The Overnight Struggle
Cutting weight is no light task. According to Sumariwalla, the medical team had worked tirelessly through the night, putting Vinesh through a gruelling regimen to shed the excess weight. They had her running in multiple layers, placed her in a sauna, and even had her cut her hair in a desperate attempt to meet the 50kg requirement. Despite these efforts, the scales refused to budge, and Vinesh was found to be 100 grams overweight during the final weigh-in, sealing her fate.
The issue of the grace period, or lack thereof, also came under scrutiny. Boxer Vijender Singh had alleged that no such leeway was granted to Vinesh, but Sumariwalla clarified that a grace period is only allowed in cases of injury, which was not the case for Vinesh. The rules were clear: any wrestler found overweight at the time of weigh-in would be placed at the bottom of the final standings, irrespective of their previous performances.
The IOA lodged a protest with United World Wrestling (UWW), and assured Phogat of their unwavering support. However, it is mystifying as to why the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) did not lodge an appeal immediately to aid Phogat’s case. An appeal has been filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sports, whose decision is awaited today, after the final bout has been done with.
The aftermath and reactions
The news of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification had sent shockwaves through the Indian sports community. Prominent figures, such as boxer Vijender Singh and former badminton player Saina Nehwal, had expressed their outrage and disbelief. Meanwhile, Nehwal, a high-profile member of the BJP, blamed Vinesh for her “mistake”, saying “it is not like she is playing her first Olympics, it’s her third Olympics. As an athlete, she must know the rules”. Vijender Singh, also a BJP figurehead, called it a “huge conspiracy against India and Indian wrestlers.”
The disqualification had also sparked a political firestorm, with opposition leaders like Randeep Surjewala of the Congress party accusing the Modi government of “failing Indian sportspersons” and labeling Vinesh’s treatment as a “black day for Indian sports.” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak also hinted at a possible conspiracy, while Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal expressed her inability to comprehend the situation, suggesting a potential conspiracy.
The wrestler’s retirement announcement
The day after her disqualification, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. This decision, made in the aftermath of the heartbreaking incident, underscored the emotional toll it had taken on the athlete. The nation was left to grapple with the question: was this a mere case of misfortune, or was there a deeper, more sinister plot at play?
Grappling with unresolved questions
Despite the efforts of the IOA, the government, and the outpouring of support from the public, the questions surrounding Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification remained unanswered. Was it truly a case of bad luck, or was there a more sinister conspiracy at play? As the dust settles, the Indian sports community continues to grapple with this perplexing and heartbreaking episode. It is a question to which we might never have a decisive answer. But what we do know is it will leave an indelible mark on the nation’s collective psyche, of the Olympic medal that never was.
