PM Modi Asks Olympics Body To Appeal Against Vinesh Phogat's Disqualification. Can It Be Overturned?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Indian Olympic Association head PT Usha, urging her to file explore all possible options to appeal against Phogat's disqualification.

Paris Olympics 2024: In a major setback for India at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, the hopes to bag the first gold medal were dashed after Wrestler Vinesh Phogat failed to qualify for the event, just hours before the final match. The news, which was a big blow for Indians who had pinned their expections on Phogat, came as a shock as the wrestler was declared ineligible after she was found to be a few grams over 50 kgs during the weigh-in on the finals day.

Following this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who seemed disappointed himself, spoke to the Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha, seeking first hand information from her regarding the matter and the options India has to appeal against the wrestler's disqualification.

He also asked her to exhaust the full range of options to help Phogat's case.

The PM also instructed PT Usha to file a strong protest against the wrestler's disqualification, if necessary.

But is it possible to overturn Vinesh Phogat's disqualification? Here's what we know:

The 29-year-old wrestler defeated World champion and Tokyo 2020 winner Yui Susaki in the opening round of women's 50 kg wrestling event, making her way up to the quarter final and then the semi final.

With this, Phogat became the first ever Indian woman to reach the Oympic wrestlimg final. However, the happiness was shortlived as the Indian grappler was disqualified during the weigh-in, sparking widespread disappointment.

Vinesh Phogat was set to wrestle United State's Sarah Ann Hilderbrandt in the final for Gold. She was within the 50 kg permissible limit on Tuesday, but later the statement issued by Indian Olympic contingent stated that Phogat tipped the scales above the 50 kg mark. Despite spending an entire night jogging and skipping in a bid to meet the weight limit, she could not qualify on Wednesday's weigh-in.

Though PM Modi's prompt intervention rekindled hopes for the decision to be overturned, it seems there is no way to go past it and the wrestler will return home without a medal.

As per a report by NDTV, there is a very little scope for negotiations in Phogat's case as she failed to meet the basic requirements.

According to the world's wrestling body, a wrestler who misses the weight is given the last place. "If an athlete does not attend or fail the weigh-in (the 1st or the 2nd weigh-in), he will be eliminated of the competition and ranked last, without rank." the world wrestling rules say.

Meanwhile, IOA President said that the Wrestling Federation of India has applied at the UWW (United World Wrestling) and is following Phogat's case in the "strongest possible manner".

 "Vinesh's disqualification is very shocking. I met Vinesh at the Olympic village polyclinic a short while ago and assured her complete support of the Indian Olympic Association, the Government of India and the whole country. We are providing Vinesh with all medical and emotional support. The Wrestling Federation Of India has applied UWW & it is following this up in the strongest possible manner. I am aware of the relentless effort made by Vinesh's medical team throughout the night so that she could meet the competition requirements," she said.