Bollywood actor Gulshan Devaiah has voiced his opinion on the controversy surrounding Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who had reached the final in the 50kg category, was disqualified after weighing in 100g over the limit. In a surprising move, there have been calls from some quarters to award her the silver medal despite her failure to make weight.
Gulshan Devaiah Calls It ‘Unfair’ to Other Athletes
In a series of tweets, Gulshan Devaiah expressed his disagreement with the idea of giving Vinesh Phogat a silver medal. He argued that it would be unfair to other athletes who were disqualified for similar reasons in the past or present.
“I don’t think it’s fair to give Vinesh Phogat a silver medal after she missed weight. It’s a tough rule but it applies to everyone equally. If we make exceptions, it sets a bad precedent. What about other athletes who were DQ’d for missing weight? Unfair to them,”Gulshan Devaiah tweeted.
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Phogat Announces Retirement After Disqualification
Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian and a medal hopeful for India in Paris, was devastated by her disqualification. She had made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, defeating the defending champion from Japan and a Cuban wrestler en route.
In an emotional post on social media, Phogat announced her retirement from the sport, saying she was “fed up with the system” and had “no more strength left” in her. The 28-year-old wrestler has been a vocal critic of the Wrestling Federation of India and its former president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women wrestlers.
Calls for Phogat’s Silver Amid Outrage
The news of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification sparked outrage among her fans and supporters. Many argued that she deserved a silver medal for her historic performance, despite missing weight. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, known for his command of the English language, posted a message in Hindi expressing his support for Phogat.
“This girl is fed up with the system. She is tired of fighting,” Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The hashtag #VineshPhogat also trended on social media, with many people calling for the authorities to reconsider her disqualification and award her the silver medal.
Precedent and Fairness in Sports
Gulshan Devaiah’s argument highlights the importance of fairness and consistency in sports. While the outpouring of support for Vinesh Phogat is understandable, making exceptions to the rules could set a dangerous precedent. Athletes who have been disqualified for missing weight in the past or present may feel unfairly treated if Phogat is awarded a medal despite her failure to make weight.
Sports governing bodies have a responsibility to ensure that rules are applied equally to all participants. Allowing special considerations based on an athlete’s popularity or performance could undermine the integrity of the competition and lead to further controversies in the future.
Phogat’s Legacy and Future
Despite her heartbreaking disqualification, Vinesh Phogat’s legacy as one of India’s greatest wrestlers remains intact. She has won multiple medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships, and her historic run at the Paris Olympics has cemented her place among the country’s sporting icons.
At just 28 years old, Phogat still has the potential to compete at the highest level. If she decides to continue her career, she could have another chance to win an Olympic medal in the future. However, her decision to retire from the sport is understandable given the emotional toll of her recent experience.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics has sparked a debate about fairness and consistency in sports. While the outpouring of support for Phogat is understandable, making exceptions to the rules could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the integrity of the competition.
Gulshan Devaiah’s argument that it would be unfair to other athletes who have been disqualified for similar reasons in the past or present highlights the importance of applying rules equally to all participants. Sports governing bodies must ensure that decisions are made based on principles of fairness and consistency, regardless of an athlete’s popularity or performance.
As Vinesh Phogat takes time to reflect on her future, her legacy as one of India’s greatest wrestlers remains intact. Her historic run at the Paris Olympics has cemented her place among the country’s sporting icons, and her fans will be hoping that she decides to continue her career and have another chance to win an Olympic medal in the future.