PT Usha chides critics attacking IOA after Vinesh Phogat's disqualification: 'Athletes responsible for weight management'

PT Usha had met Vinesh Phogat at the Olympic Village polyclinic on Wednesday (IOA)

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha didn't mince any words while responding to the criticism against IOA's medical team, especially chief medical officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, in connection with Vinesh Phogat's weigh-in fiasco. The former sprinter in her response said it is the task of the athlete and her/his coach to maintain the weight and called the attack on Dr Pardiwala "unacceptable and worthy of condemnation." Vinesh, who was assured of at least a silver medal, was disqualified from participating further on the morning of her gold medal bout in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling. She failed to meet her weight in her second weigh-in, which was on the morning of her final against USA's Sarah Hildebrandt.

She has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) against her disqualification, the verdict of which is expected on August 13. Vinesh, who measured over two kilograms on the night before her final bout, underwent a rigorous routine but failed to shed the extra kilos. The incident also prompted her to announce retirement from the sport.

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However, the incident has turned into a blame game, leading to uproar in the Parliament. In addition, former IOA chief Narendra Batra weighing-in on the subject felt Vinesh’s diet might have had something to do with her disqualification.

"The responsibility of weight management of athletes in sport like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo is that of each athlete and his or her coach and NOT that of the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team," Usha said in a statement. "The hate directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, is unacceptable and worthy of condemnation. I hope that those rushing to judge the IOA medical team would consider all facts before arriving at any conclusions,” she added.

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Usha also clarified that every athletes in such disciplines "had his or her own support team. These support teams have been working with the athletes over so many years."

"The IOA appointed a medical team a couple of months ago, primarily as a team that would assist in the recovery and injury management of athletes during and after their competition. This team was also designed to support athletes who did not have their own team of nutritionists and physiotherapists."

The IOA president had earlier expressed shock on Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Usha had met Vinesh at the Olympic Village polyclinic on Wednesday and assured her of complete support from the IOA.