Maroc - POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 15/Aug 06:01

Bajrang Punia's Emotional Ode to Vinesh Phogat

Just hours before India was set to celebrate Independence Day, Vinesh Phogat experienced a significant setback. She lost her appeal to both the India Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, which had sought a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Despite demonstrating remarkable skill and resolve, Vinesh was disqualified from the women's 50kg final due to being marginally overweight. Her journey to the final had been marked by outstanding performances, making her disqualification particularly disheartening. Consequently, she returned from the Olympics without a medal, bringing a disappointing end to a promising campaign.  On the evening of August 14, Bajrang Punia posted a deeply emotional message on Twitter, dedicating a six-line poem to Vinesh, referring to her as India's Kohinoor. The following day, August 15, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered a severe blow to Vinesh Phogat, upholding the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify her from the women's 50kg wrestling final. This ruling not only barred her from claiming a silver medal but also resulted in her finishing last in her category. After her initial disqualification, Vinesh had chosen to retire from wrestling. However, the CAS verdict came after several delays.  The Indian Olympic Association expressed profound disappointment with the outcome and stated their intention to seek further legal recourse on Vinesh's behalf. "The IOA firmly believes that the complete disqualification of an athlete for a minor weight infraction on the second of two days requires a more thorough review. Our legal team had highlighted this issue in their submissions to the Sole Arbitrator. Vinesh's case underscores the harsh and arguably inhumane regulations that fail to consider the physiological and psychological stresses faced by athletes, particularly female athletes. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and compassionate standards that prioritize the well-being of athletes," PT Usha remarked. READ MORE -  Facing Doctor's Rape-Murder, Trinamool MP Adds Personal Touch to Protest