Vinesh Phogat Describes the Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Miss as 'Biggest Wound of Her Life'

Vinesh Phogat has returned home to a cheering reception on August 17, 2024 at Delhi's IGI Airport after weathering a difficult series of struggles both on the wrestling mat and away from the CAS. With all that had happened in the prior two weeks, Phogat was unable to hold back tears as her emotions took over. Phogat had a swashbuckling campaign all the way to the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics, ensuring herself at least a silver medal. However, all of her triumphs were in naught since she was disqualified for being overweight on the day of her final. Although she missed out on the chance to win the gold medal for her country and had to deal with the CAS setback, the nation admires her tenacity and perseverance in achieving her triumphs.

Vinesh Phogat calls the medal miss the ‘biggest wound of life’

Overwhelmed by the grand reception she received on her arrival from the Paris Olympics, wrestler Vinesh Phogat has said that her fight for the betterment of Indian wrestling would continue and that "truth will prevail".

Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the IGI airport here on Saturday to give a rousing welcome to Vinesh who was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final at the Olympics.

Vinesh's appeal against her disqualification was also rejected by the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"Our fight has not ended and the fight will continue and I pray to god that the truth will prevail,” said Vinesh while addressing the crowd.

Vinesh and fellow Olympians Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik have been protesting for more than a year against the Wrestling Federation of India and its former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his alleged sexual harassment of women grapplers.

Six wrestler, including Vinesh, sat in protest at Jantar Mantar last year demanding action against the former WFI chief before they were evicted as they tried to march towards the new Parliament building.

Vinesh also said that the welcome she had received on arrival would give her the courage to pick up the threads and get on with life.

"As I got love from my fellow Indians, my village and my family members, I guess I would get some courage to make this wound heal. Maybe, I could return to wrestling," said the 29-year-old Vinesh.

"I just want to say that missing the Olympic medal is the biggest wound in my life. I don't know how much time it would take to heal this wound. I don't know if I would pursue wrestling or not but the kind of courage I got today (Saturday), I want to use that in the right direction," she added. 

(With PTI Inputs)