Antim Panghal to be deported from Paris after sister caught using accreditation

In a dramatic turn of events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nisha Phangal, the sister of Indian wrestler Antim Phangal, was detained by police while attempting to enter the Games Village without proper accreditation. 

The incident occurred earlier today, prompting a swift response from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials, who are now rushing to the Saint Denis police station to resolve the situation. 

Meanwhile, Antim Phangal was summoned to record a statement regarding the incident, and subsequently, her accreditation was revoked. Reports suggest that Antim Panghal's entourage will be deported from Paris. 

Antim Panghal to be deported from Paris

Panghal had crashed out of the Paris Olympics after losing her opening bout in the women's 53kg during the day.

"The Indian Olympic Association has decided to fly wrestler Antim and her support staff back after a disciplinary breach was brought to IOA’s notice by the French authorities," an IOA statement said.

While IOA did not share what the disciplinary breach was, a source shared the details with PTI.

"Instead of heading to the Games Village, she reached the hotel where her coach Bhagat Singh and sparring partner Vikas, who is actually her coach, were staying. Antim asked her sister to go to the Games Village and come back with her belongings. Her sister was caught for impersonation and was taken to a police station to record her statement," said the source.

The 19-year-old U20 world champion Antim was also called by police to record her statement.

If that was not enough, Antim's personal support staff -- Vikas and Bhagat -- travelled in an inebriated state in a taxi and refused to pay the driver, who then called police.

"We have left to fight fire," fumed an IOA official. When contacted, Vikas flatly refused their involvement in such an incident. "Who told you this? Antim and her sister are sitting right before me," said Vikas. 

(With PTI inputs)