New Delhi. Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of female wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Ganguly says that after reaching the final, Vinesh should have been awarded at least a silver medal because she deserves it. Vinesh entered the final of the women’s 50 kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympics after winning three bouts in a day. She was then disqualified from the final due to a 100-gram weight increase, which left her unable to compete in the final. Vinesh was deeply hurt by this. She has demanded a joint silver medal and has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which may decide on the matter by August 13.
29-year-old Vinesh Phogat was participating in her third Olympics. The way she won three consecutive bouts made her deserving of a gold medal. But Vinesh’s dream of becoming an Olympic champion was shattered, and she announced her retirement from wrestling.
‘She deserves at least a silver medal’
When asked about this during the ‘Kolkata Food Festival,’ Sourav Ganguly said, ‘I don’t know the exact rules, but I understand that when she reached the final, she must have qualified properly. When you have secured a place in the final, you either win a gold or silver medal. I’m not sure if she was disqualified wrongly or not, but she deserves at least a silver medal.’ In place of Vinesh, Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez, who had lost to her in the semifinals, competed in the final.
The disqualification of the Indian wrestler is ‘against logic and sportsmanship.’
In her appeal filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Indian wrestler has requested a joint silver medal with Lopez. A decision on this is expected by August 13. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also supported Vinesh, saying that the disqualification of the Indian wrestler is ‘against logic and sportsmanship.’ He also suggested reconsidering the related rules. Additionally, Sunil Gavaskar said that the IOA should appeal against this.
Sourav Ganguly Supports Vinesh Phogat, Calls for Silver Medal After Olympic Disqualification