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NEW DELHI — India was in a state of disbelief after Vinesh Phogat's shocking disqualification ahead of her 50kg wrestling final as people from all walks of life expressed their disappointment and frustration at the huge setback, calling it "cruel" and "biggest heartbreak" of the Paris Olympics.
Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday from the Olympics after being found overweight ahead of her women's 50kg final here, leaving her medal-less within hours of coming close to an unparalleled gold.
Also read: Paris Olympics: Vinesh Phogat makes history, storms into final with emphatic win over Cuban
The news sparked widespread anger as fans flooded the social media with messages supporting the athlete and many also questioned the "dictatorial system".
"This is a cruel end to Vinesh Phogat's Olympic journey. She was unstoppable..," wrote a fan, while another added: "biggest heartbreak of 2024 Olympics for India. Vinesh Phogat was thrown out of the Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight. The Indian lioness moving towards gold will not get any medal now. Heartbreak."
Another user wrote: "This is terrible and cruel. You prepare for this day for the whole life and you got disqualified because you were few grams more than 50 kg. This is sad beyond words."
Another user noted: "The whole of India is in shock. Once again Vinesh is losing to the dictatorial system."
Phogat, who had dropped down to the 50kg weight class to compete at the Olympics, was found overweight by 100gm this morning.
According to International rules, if any grappler is found overweight at the time of weigh-in then he or she will end up at the bottom of the final standings.
Celebrities also expressed their anguish at the terrible news.
From sportspersons to Bollywood stars, all expressed their support for Phogat, who was taken to the polyclinic inside the Games village due to severe dehydration.
"I think it's (the) most unfortunate. I also think it's most unfair. I do hope that the authorities will take notice of it, take a strong response to this because this is not just the initial round," legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said at an event in Mumbai.
"We're talking about the world medal round and therefore this cannot and should not be taken lying down by anybody in India — whether it's the Indian Olympic Association or the government of India. I think we actually must be protesting very very strongly about this whole thing."
Rio Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik called it "devastating".
"My heart is nervous and troubled, what Vinesh has done is beyond imagination.
This is perhaps the most devastating incident to happen to an Indian athlete in this Olympics. We can't even imagine what she might be going through. If it was possible, I would have given my medal to Vinesh," Sakshi Malik wrote.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra & Mahindra group, wrote: NO! NO! NO!
Please make this a bad dream that I will wake up from and find it isn’t true…."
AAP MP Sanjay Singh called for a boycott of the Olympics.
"This is not an insult to Vinesh but to the country, @Phogat_Vinesh was going to create history in the whole world, declaring her 100 grams overweight and disqualifying her is a grave injustice. The whole country stands with Vinesh, the Indian government should intervene immediately, if the matter is not accepted then boycott the Olympics," he tweeted.
Bollywood stars Farhan Akhtar and Taapsee Pannu also expressed their solidarity with Phogat.
"Dear @vineshphogat .. One can only try and imagine how devastated you must be but still not fully understand. Heartbroken for you that the quest ended like this," Akhtar wrote on 'X'.
"But please know that we are all very proud of you and all you have done for the sport. You will always be a champion and an inspiration to millions.
Keep your chin up."
Taapsee, who is married to former Indian men's doubles badminton coach Mathias Boe, wrote: "This is heartbreaking but honestly this woman has already made her mark beyond gold by now."
There were other users who expressed their support for Phogat.
NEW DELHI — The Indian Olympic Association lodged a strong protest with the United World Wrestling over Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked IOA chief P T Usha to take "appropriate action" in the matter, the government said on Wednesday.
In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government had provided all possible assistance to Phogat according to her requirement which included personal staff.
VIDEO | "Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from Paris Olympics because of being overweight by 100 gm. Vinesh was playing in 50-kg category. As per rules and regulations of UWW, weight of all the athletes across all the categories is measured every morning. Vinesh's… pic.twitter.com/wx5GAIybd1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 7, 2024
Over the Phogat issue, opposition parties walked out from the Lok Sabha.
"Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been disqualified from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight by 100 gm. Vinesh was playing in the 50 kg category and her weight had to be 50 kg for the competition. According to the rules and regulations of UWW (United World Wrestling), for all competitions, weigh-ins are organised every morning for the respective category," Mandaviya said.
"On August 7, 2024, the weight for 50 kg women's wrestling was determined at 7:15-7:30 Hours Paris time, for wrestlers participating in repechages. Vinesh's weight was found to be 50 kg and 100 gm. Therefore, she was declared ineligible for the competition," he said.
The Indian Olympic Association has "lodged a strong protest" with the International Wrestling Federation over this matter.
Also, Prime Minister Modi has directed IOA chief P T Usha to take "appropriate action" in the matter, the minister said.