Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday announced that Vinesh Phogat will be honored with the same respect and rewards as Olympic medalists. He stated that all facilities and accolades typically given to Olympic silver medalists will be extended to Phogat.
On social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, “Our brave daughter of Haryana, Vinesh Phogat, performed brilliantly and entered the finals of the Olympics. Due to some reasons, she may not have been able to play the final, but she is a champion for all of us.”
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He added, “Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medalist. All the respect, rewards, and facilities that the Haryana government gives to Olympic silver medalists will be gratefully given to Vinesh Phogat as well. We are proud of you, Vinesh!”
In a setback to India’s medal hopes, Phogat was disqualified from the 50 kg women’s wrestling event for exceeding the weight limit. She was scheduled to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States in the gold medal match on August 7.
Phogat had reached the Gold Medal bout after defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night. India still hopes for medals in the remaining events, with Avinash Sable competing in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase final on Thursday.
So far, India has secured three bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, all in shooting. India had opportunities for additional medals but fell short, finishing fourth in the 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, skeet team, badminton singles, and mixed archery team events.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Newsx staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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