IOC Takes Strict Action Against Indian Wrestler; Sent Her Back to Home

Paris Olympic organising committee has taken strict action against Indian wrestler Antim Panghal. She along with her four-membered support staff has been sent back to India for violating the Olympic Village rules. 

As per the sources, the Indian wrestler is accused of giving her accreditation card to her sister. The sister was staying outside the Games Village along with the members of the support staff. 

Why was Indian Wrestler Sent Back?

Antim made her Olympic debut on Wednesday in the 53 kg category, which is also Vinesh Phogat’s preferred weight class. Considered a strong medal prospect for India, she lost her first-round match against Zeynep Yetgil in a one-sided bout. The 19-year-old left the Champ-de-Mars Arena in tears, accompanied by her sister and coaches to their hotel.

Antim then asked her sister to pack her belongings and go to the Olympic Village with her. Using her accreditation card, Antim passed through the heavy security checkpoints. She then gave the same card to her sister, who tried to sneak in by pretending to be Antim. However, she was eventually caught by Village security.

Sources familiar with the matter said, "Her sister was arrested and taken to a police station. It took the Indian Olympic Association officials a few hours to seek her release."

They added that there had been another "incident" of a security breach involving her personal coach.

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Antim’s Coach Rash Behavior in Olympics Village

Additionally, Antim's support staff, coaches Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were involved in a separate police incident. Sources say they took a cab from the Games Village to their hotel on Wednesday evening. Upon arrival, they refused to pay the cab fare and behaved rudely towards the driver before quickly entering the hotel. The cab driver later reported the incident to the police.

IOA Stand on the Case

The organizers have taken a firm stance against her team and requested that IOA revoke her accreditation and arrange for her to return to India. They are not permitted to leave their hotel because their tickets have already been purchased, according to a Parisian official.

"The Indian Olympic Association has decided to send wrestler Antim and her support staff back home after French authorities reported a disciplinary breach," according to an IOA statement in response to the request made by the Paris Olympic organizing committee.

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