• Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Sport

PT Usha got photo clicked for politics: Vinesh Phogat

The wrestler claimed she received no support from Usha and the photo was shared on social media without her consent

Indian Olympics Association (IOA) President PT Usha meets wrestler Vinesh Phogat after the latter was hospitalised following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics as she was found overweight ahead of her women’s 50kg final match, in Paris, France, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (PTI Photo)

By: Shajil Kumar

WRESTLER Vinesh Phogat, who had a heartbreaking exit from Paris Olympics over a failed weigh-in, now claims Indian Olympics Association (IOA) president PT Usha had shared a photo on social media without informing her.

She told a local news channel that Usha had visited her at the hospital after she had fallen ill following her disqualification in 50kg freestyle wrestling final.

A photo was clicked in which Usha could be seen interacting with Vinesh in the clinic and the IOA chief posted it on social media expressing her support for the wrestler.

Vinesh Phogat claims that she received no support from Usha and she did the photo op for politics.

She said she was going through the worst phase of life and didn’t know what was happening outside the hospital.

Just to show everyone you are standing with me, you get a photo taken and share it on social media, this is mere posturing, she told the news channel.

She said when she announced her retirement, many people had urged her to reconsider her decision. “For what should I continue! There is politics everywhere,” she remarked.

Vinesh recently joined the Congress party and she will be contesting elections from the party ticket from Julana assembly seat in Haryana’s Jind district.

She filed her nomination on Wednesday, accompanied by Congress leader and Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda and Sonipat MP Satpal Brahmachari.

Voting for the 90 assembly seats in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the results will be declared on October 8.

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