Vinesh Phogat, the wrestler-turned-politician, accepted a cash prize of Rs 4 crore offered by the Haryana government. This cash prize was amongst the three options provided by the state government - as an equivalent to an Olympic Silver medalist.
Phogat qualified for the final round in the 2024 Paris Olympics - but was later disqualified after being found to exceed the weight limit by 100 grams. The 30-year-old athlete normally qualified for the 53 kgs, but last year when Antim Panghal qualified for the 53 kgs round - Phogat had to compete in the 50 kgs category.
What were the other options?
Phogat - who has been called the state and nation라이브 바카라 pride - was offered three options by the government; a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, an Outstanding Sportsperson job under Group 'A', or a Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran plot.
After considering her options, Phogat submitted a letter to the state sports department on Tuesday, opting for the cash prize, PTI reported, citing official sources.
Earlier in March during Haryana Assembly라이브 바카라 budget session, Phogat had reminded the state Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, that, “The chief minister had said that Vinesh is our daughter and she would receive the reward as an Olympic silver medalist. This promise has still not been fulfilled.”
She continued to say that it is not about money but about respect, TOI reported.
Saini responded that her disqualification over a technical detail should not be allowed to rob her of her honour as an athlete.
Who is Vinesh Phogat?
Vinesh Phogat is an Indian wrestler who belongs to a long line of family members associated with the same sport. Her cousins - Geeta and Babita Phogat - on whom the Bollywood hit Dangal is based - are recipients of gold medals in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games.
Vinesh Phogat -a three-time Olympian - also has three Commonwealth Games golds, a gold medal at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, and two World Championships bronze medals.
“Vinesh, you are a champion among champions! You are India's pride and an inspiration for each and every Indian. Today's setback hurts. I wish words could express the sense of despair that I am experiencing. Come back stronger! We are all rooting for you,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted after the Paris Olympics.
After her disqualification, she contested elections and won on a Congress ticket from Haryana라이브 바카라 Julana in Jind district last year.
Phogat was also at the forefront of the protest against Brij Sharan Singh Bhushan, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India - for alleged sexual harassment.
The protests - which caused national outrage after six women wrestlers claimed sexual assault - began when a sit-in protest was started at Jantar Mantar in January 2023. Bhushan has pleaded not guilty.
