'Athlete & Coaches to blame for weight issues not IOA': PT Usha defends IOA in Vinesh Phogat case

The heartbreaking disqualification of Vinesh Phogat left the country shaken after the Indian wrestler was ousted from the competition hours before she could set foot for the summit clash. A medal was assured for Vinesh, but the disqualification has left her medal-less. Her ousting took place after she was found to be 100 grams overweight, making her ineligible for the competition as she needed to be under a certain limit. While the grappler has put up an appeal for a joint silver medal, a significant amount of hate and criticism towards the IOA Medical Staff and the chief medical officer. PT Usha, the IOA Chief, has come out in support of them.

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IOA Chief Responds to Backlash Regarding Medical Staff Following Vinesh Phogat Disqualification

As the IOA Medical staff, led by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, drew intense criticism due to the Vinesh Phogat scenario, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha has presented a clarification, saying that the medical team is not responsible for the athlete's weight management. Instead, it's the athlete and their coaching staff's accountability to keep all things in check.

"The responsibility of weight management of athletes in sport like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo is that of each athlete and his or her coach and NOT that of the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team... The hate directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, is unacceptable and worthy of condemnation.

"Each Indian athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in such sport had his or her own support team. These support teams have been working with the athletes over so many years," PT Usha said in a statement.

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Vinesh Phogat's disqualification shattered her Olympic ambitions, prompting her to announce her retirement from the sport. The Indian grappler made history after she became the first Indian wrestler to reach a gold medal match in the Women's 50kg category. However, she could not compete despite going through a stringent regimen overnight, including cutting her hair. Eventually, USA's Sarah Hildebrandt won the gold after defeating Vinesh's replacement athlete Lopez in the final.