Indian wrestler suspended for not wearing country’s name at Olympics | Sunday Observer

Indian wrestler suspended for not wearing country’s name at Olympics

15 August, 2021
Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat, a leading Olympic wrestler in India, has been suspended for not wearing the official shirt during competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games and refusing to train with the rest of the athletes, news agencies reported.

The 26-year old Phogat went into the Games as world number one in the 53kg but crashed out in the quarter-finals.

Wrestling Federation of India assistant secretary Vinod Tomar was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that Phogat had been suspended on “three counts of indiscipline” that also included her refusal to share her room with other Indian women wrestlers.

She has yet to make a public comment about the charges but has been told to respond by Monday.

Teenager Sonam Malik was also charged with similar misconduct ahead of the Olympics where she suffered a first-round exit.

“These up-and-coming girls think they are stars and can get away with such things, but they should realise that they are representing the country,” Tomar was quoted as saying.

In contrast Sri Lankan Olympians who wore their private kits at the Tokyo Olympics have escaped disciplinary action.

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