Paris, 8 August 2024 (TDI): India’s female wrestler Antim Panghal and her support team were on Thursday deported from Paris after a disciplinary breach, the Indian Olympic Association said.
According to an official statement, the IOA said the wrestler and her support staff were flown back after French Authorities complained of disciplinary breaches.
According to Indian media, Panghal and her team had been involved in several misconduct incidents in Paris.
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First, her staff – Bhagat Singh and sparring partner Vikas – travelled in an “inebriated state” in a taxi and refused to pay the driver, who reported the incident to the police.
Later, Panghal, who was thrashed by a Turkish wrestler in the opening bout, also reached the hotel where Bhagat and Vikas were staying and sent her sister to the Games Village to collect her belongings.
However, her sister was caught by the authorities and was sent to a police station to record her statement.
“We have been left to fight fire,” an IOA official said when asked to comment.
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He further stated that Vikas flatly refused their involvement in such an incident.
“You have been mistaken. Antim and her sister are with us in the room,” said Vikas. However, he later confessed when confronted.
This is the second time in less than 24 hours that an Indian Olympian has been disqualified. Earlier, another Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat pulled out of the medal round after she was found to be overweight.
