“You show up, take a picture without telling me, then post it on social media” - Vinesh Phogat alleges ‘politics’ behind viral photo with PT Usha

Vinesh Phogat alleges photo with PT Usha was politically motivated (Image Source: Getty, Inset via IOA)
Vinesh Phogat alleges photo with PT Usha was politically motivated (Image Source: Getty, Inset via IOA)

Vinesh Phogat's campaign at the Paris Olympics 2024 ended when she was disqualified from her final due to being 100 grams over the weight limit. After the news broke, a photo went viral in which Phogat was sitting on a hospital bed while IOA president PT Usha stood beside her. However, the wrestler has now alleged that the photo was taken solely for political purposes and that she received no actual support from the authorities.

For Phogat, her appearance in Paris marked her third trip to the Olympic stage and she came agonizingly close to her maiden medal. However, after she was disqualified from the finals, she was also stripped of her previously guaranteed silver, leaving the Indian devastated. Soon after, the 30-year-old called time on her wrestling career.

During a recent interview with AAA Media, Vinesh Phogat alleged that she received no support while she was at the Games dealing with the news of her disqualification.

“PT Usha ma’am came when I was in the hospital, she clicked a picture, she didn't even ask me anything, so I don't understand what type of support that is. I was in that bed, I didn't know what was going on, I was going through the worst moments of my life. And over there, just to show the world that you’re supporting me, you show up, take a picture without telling me, then post it on social media and say you were supporting me, but that's not really support," she said.

Vinesh Phogat added that the politics that she dealt with at the Games was what forced her to retire.

“Like you're saying, in politics, something else goes on behind the scenes, the same way, I had to deal with politics even at the Games. That is what broke my heart. Lots of people were telling me, ‘don’t leave wrestling’, but why should I compete? There is politics everywhere," she added.

Vinesh Phogat joins Congress

After her decision to retire from wrestling, Vinesh Phogat has ventured into a new career. The athlete has joined the Indian National Congress as part of their list of candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections.

The news of Phogat's new career path has drawn mixed reactions, with many fans excited for her journey forward, while some criticizing her choice to get involved in politics.

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Edited by Parag Jain
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