On Independence Day, PM Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics during a special meeting at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
Among the athletes praised was wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman to reach the finals in wrestling at the prestigious event.
Groundbreaking Moment For Indian Wrestling: PM Modi On Vinesh Phogat’s Achievement
In his remarks, PM Modi commended Vinesh’s remarkable achievement, stating, “Vinesh’s entry into the finals was a groundbreaking moment for Indian wrestling and a tremendous source of pride for our nation.”
Despite her historic accomplishment, Vinesh’s Olympic journey ended on a sour note.
The wrestler from Haryana was disqualified from the women’s 50 kg gold medal bout after being found a few grams over the weight limit on the day of the final match.
This disqualification was a significant blow to her dreams of clinching an Olympic medal.
Following the disappointment, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling via social media, marking a somber conclusion to her Olympic quest.
Her illustrious career includes three Commonwealth Games gold medals, two World Championships bronze medals, an Asian Games gold, and an Asian Championship title from 2021.
In response to her disqualification, Vinesh sought redress from the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), petitioning for a joint silver medal in the 50 kg category.
However, the CAS Ad-Hoc Division rejected her appeal, effectively ending her hopes of securing an Olympic medal.
The Paris Olympics saw 117 Indian athletes competing across 16 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, and wrestling. India finished the Games with 6 medals i.e. 1 silver and 5 bronze.
Although the country’s performance fell short of the seven medals won at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze), it demonstrated commendable participation and effort.
Also Read: PM Modi Applauds Indian Olympians, Celebrates Six Medals At Paris 2024
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