Paris, August 8, 2024 – The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has decided to deport wrestler Antim Panghal and her support staff after a serious disciplinary breach was reported by the French authorities. The incident occurred when Panghal gave her accreditation to her sister, allowing her to attempt unauthorized entry into the Olympic Games Village.
The breach was discovered when the sister was detained by the security team while trying to enter the Village posing as Antim. Following the incident, the French authorities filed a complaint with the IOA, prompting immediate action. A source revealed that the Indian Olympic officials were promptly informed, and Panghal, along with her support staff, was ordered to return to India.
In their official statement, the IOA explained, “Antim Panghal gave her accreditation to her sister to help her enter the Games Village. French authorities complained to the IOA, and that’s why she will be sent back to India with her support staff.”
The incident comes in the wake of another controversy involving Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the Women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling category for being 100 grams overweight.
Adding to the controversy, Panghal’s coaches, Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were involved in a separate police case. They allegedly refused to pay a cab driver after reaching their hotel and misbehaved with him before rushing inside. The cab driver reported the incident to the police, further complicating the situation.
Antim Panghal, a 19-year-old wrestler from Haryana, had lost her match in the 53 kg category to Zeynep Yetgil of Turkey, ending her Olympic journey. Following her defeat, Panghal had asked her sister to bring her belongings to the hotel. This led to the accreditation misuse incident, resulting in severe consequences for the wrestler and her team.
Despite requests from IOA officials, the French authorities decided against detaining Panghal’s sister, allowing her to return to the hotel. However, Panghal’s accreditation has been canceled, and she, along with her support staff, is being sent back to India. The IOA plans to discuss the incident with the Wrestling Federation of India to address the disciplinary breach and its implications.
This incident has cast a shadow on India’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, highlighting the importance of adherence to disciplinary rules and regulations by athletes and their support staff.
