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The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has expressed shock and disappointment after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Vinesh Phogat's plea for a silver medal in the women's 50kg event at the Paris Olympics. The CAS released a statement on Wednesday confirming the dismissal of the application filed by Phogat on August 7, dealing a significant blow to her Olympic medal hopes.Phogat had appealed to CAS after she was disqualified from the final of the 50kg event at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade in September 2022. She was found to be overweight by a mere 100 grams, which resulted in her being barred from competing in the final. American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt claimed the gold medal in her absence.In her appeal, Phogat demanded that she be given a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semi-finals but was promoted to the summit clash following the Indian's disqualification.The IOA has voiced concerns over the decision of the Sole Arbitrator at CAS, which upheld the ruling in favor of United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOA believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination.The IOA also highlighted the stringent and arguably inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes' well-being.In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh's case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times.

India's Olympic campaign in Paris concluded with six medals, but the nation eagerly awaits a potential seventh that could match their Tokyo Games record. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on behalf of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the gold-medal bout in the women's 50kg freestyle event due to being 100 grams overweight.Vinesh's team presented their case to CAS, arguing that her weight gain was due to the distance between the competition venue and the Athletes Village, as well as the tight schedule between bouts. They emphasized that the excess weight did not provide her with any competitive advantage and was a result of natural recovery processes.Vinesh's legal team also invoked the principle of proportionality, arguing that the consequences of her disqualification were disproportionate to the minor weight excess. They highlighted her hard work and the silver medal she earned through her performance.Despite criticism of the IOA medical team, the association has expressed unwavering support for Vinesh. IOA President PT Usha stated that the association considers it their duty to back her.The CAS is expected to announce its verdict on Vinesh's plea on August 13. If successful, India could match their best-ever Olympic medal tally of seven.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has clarified that the responsibility for weight management of athletes in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the individual athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team.IOA President Dr. PT Usha emphasized that each Indian athlete participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in these sports has their own support team that has been working with them for years. These teams include nutritionists and physiotherapists who are responsible for monitoring and managing the athletes' weight.The IOA appointed a medical team a few months ago primarily to assist in the recovery and injury management of athletes during and after competitions. This team was also intended to support athletes who did not have their own team of medical professionals.Dr. Usha condemned the hate directed at the IOA medical team, particularly Dr. Pardiwala, and urged those criticizing the team to consider all the facts before making judgments.This clarification comes after Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women's 50 kg final at the Paris Olympics for exceeding the weight limit. Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award her the silver medal.CAS has extended the deadline for delivering its verdict on Phogat's appeal to Tuesday, August 13. The ad hoc division of CAS has granted the sole arbitrator, Dr. Annabelle Bennett, additional time to consider the case.Reacting to the extension, Vinesh Phogat's uncle, Mahavir Phogat, expressed his patience and willingness to accept the decision whenever it is announced.Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. She had achieved significant success in her career, including two World Championships bronze medals, an Asian Games gold medal, and three Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal's Olympic debut in Paris has taken a disastrous turn after she was disqualified and deported for a serious breach of protocol. The incident has cast a shadow over the Indian contingent's participation in the Games.Panghal's troubles began after she was eliminated from the women's 53 kg wrestling event. She returned to her hotel, where her designated coach Bhagat Singh and actual coach Vikas were staying. Panghal handed her official accreditation to her younger sister Nisha to collect her belongings from the Olympic Games Village.However, Nisha was caught by security using the accreditation, which is strictly prohibited. She was detained by Paris police and questioned before being released. As a result, Antim's accreditation was revoked, and she will be deported back to India along with her entourage.The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has issued an official statement condemning the incident. "Indian wrestler Antim Panghal and her support staff to be flown back from Olympics following disciplinary breach in Paris," the statement read.The situation worsened when Panghal's personal support staff, Vikas and Bhagat, allegedly traveled in an inebriated state in a cab and refused to pay the fare. The driver called the police, further embarrassing the Indian contingent."We are fighting fire as of now," said an IOA source. "We have a bad situation at hand, our security officer is dealing with the situation."Panghal's Olympic hopes were dashed after she suffered a crushing 0-10 defeat to Turkish opponent Yetgil Zeynep in the first round. Despite the loss, she had a slim chance of qualifying for the repechage if Zeynep reached the final. However, Zeynep lost in the quarterfinals, ending Panghal's hopes of a medal.The incident has raised serious questions about the discipline and conduct of the Indian contingent at the Olympics. The IOA has vowed to take strict action against those responsible for the breach of protocol.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended its support to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in its bid to ensure a successful Indian contingent at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced a financial contribution of INR 8.5 crores to the IOA for the campaign.Shah expressed his pride in supporting India's athletes and wished them the best in their endeavors. "We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign. To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind!" he tweeted.The BCCI's financial support is a significant boost to the IOA's preparations for the Olympics. The funds will be utilized to cover various expenses related to the training, travel, and accommodation of Indian athletes.The IOA has expressed its gratitude to the BCCI for its generous contribution. IOA President PT Usha thanked Shah and the BCCI for their support, stating that it will go a long way in ensuring a successful campaign for India at the Olympics.The 2024 Paris Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024. India is expected to send a strong contingent of athletes across various sports, including athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, and wrestling.The BCCI's support to the IOA is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of sports in India. It also reflects the BCCI's commitment to promoting and supporting Indian athletes at the highest level of competition.

Renowned South Korean archery coach Baek Woong Ki has expressed his disappointment and frustration after being denied accreditation for the Paris Olympics. The coach, who has guided the Indian archery team for over a year, feels "humiliated and insulted" by the decision.Woong Ki, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian team, was not included in the list of six coaching staff submitted by the Archery Association of India (AAI) to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Instead, two Indian coaches, Sonam T Shering Bhutia and Purnima Mahato, were given accreditation to stay in the Games Village.The Korean coach, who guided South Korea to two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, believes that his exclusion from the Olympic Games archery coach is a "big mistake" by the IOA. He has expressed his desire to end his tenure as head coach of the Indian team after the Paris Olympics."I do not want to continue anymore. I just want to go back to South Korea," Woong Ki told HT from Paris. "I have been preparing with the goal of helping India win a medal for the first time at the Paris Olympics. However, I believe that appointing a foreign coach but excluding (me) from the Olympic Games archery coach is a big mistake by the IOA and a decision that does not follow the original plan and goals."Woong Ki's absence is a significant blow to the Indian archery team, which has qualified for all five events at the Olympics. The team has been training hard under Woong Ki's guidance and has shown promising results, including winning silver medals in the men's and women's team events at the Asian Games.The AAI has reached out to IOA officials to find a solution, but no resolution has been found. The IOA has cleared 68 coaches and 50 support staff for 117 athletes, but the large contingent has made it difficult to accommodate all the coaches and support staff.The Indian archery team will begin its Olympic campaign on July 2 with the ranking rounds for all five events. The team will be hoping to make history and win India's first-ever archery medal at the Olympics.

IOA Faces Scrutiny Over Coach and Support Staff Issues Ahead of Paris OlympicsWith just days remaining before the start of the Paris Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is facing criticism over administrative issues involving coaches and support staff for the Indian contingent. Despite clearing a jumbo 256-member contingent, several concerns have emerged.One of the most notable omissions is South Korean archery coach Baek Woong Ki, who has been instrumental in the team's impressive results and qualification for the Olympics. The Archery Association of India has expressed surprise at his exclusion, stating that they had submitted his name along with five other support staff members.Wrestler Antim Panghal has also raised concerns, claiming that her coach and physio have yet to receive visas due to delays by IOA officials. IOA president PT Usha has defended the association's actions, stating that they have been "proactive" in obtaining accreditations and visas for coaches and support staff.However, Usha has blamed the ad-hoc committee that governed wrestling until March 18 for not recommending Antim's support personnel in the long list. The committee's former chairman, Bhupinder Bajwa, has expressed surprise at this accusation, stating that the WFI took over after the ad-hoc committee's departure and that the names of Vinesh Phogat's coach and support staff were included in the long list despite her qualifying only in April.Despite IOA's efforts to accommodate personal coaches, trainers, and physios of several top athletes, some disciplines have more support staff members than athletes. This has led to concerns about the allocation of resources and the potential impact on the performance of the team.IOA has cleared 68 coaches and 50 support staff for 117 athletes, with a ratio of slightly better than 1:1. However, a large number of support staff will stay outside the Games Village and have limited access to venues.The IOA has included seven personal support staff members in wrestling in the 'non-accredited' category, including Antim's coach, sparring partner, and physio. However, concerns remain about the potential impact on the team's performance.

India Gears Up for Paris Olympics: High-Powered Committee Meets to Enhance CoordinationNew Delhi: In preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, a high-level committee comprising officials from the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) convened on Friday to assess India's readiness.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who presided over the meeting, emphasized the need for "coordination among all stakeholders." He urged officials to prioritize "country's interest before personal interest," according to sources familiar with the discussions.These remarks come amidst ongoing disputes within the IOA over accreditation and financial matters. "IOA executive council members are seeking access cards for National Olympic Committees, which are distributed to federations. These cards provide access to all venues and are essential for federation officials," an IOA official explained."However, only a limited number of such cards (six) are available for India. Some IOA officials also wish to bring their family members," the official added.To address these concerns, a coordination committee was established during the meeting, with IOA President PT Usha and SAI DG Sandip Pradhan in attendance. Usha and IOA executive committee members have been at odds over various issues, including the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer, which remains unratified.Upon assuming office, Sports Minister Mandaviya had met with IOA executive council members and urged them to resolve their differences.India's Olympic Contingent and Coaching SupportIndia will send a contingent of 257 members, including 118 athletes, to the Olympics. Notably, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu will be supported by three coaches and a physio. In addition to national coach Vijay Sharma, Sandip Kumar and Pramod Kumar have been included as coaches in weightlifting, while Rohit Shyam Chhabria will serve as physio.Tokyo gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will be accompanied by his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha. Other athletes, including Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, PV Sindhu, Manika Batra, Jyothi Yarraji, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Rajeshwari Kumari, will have their personal coaches.In wrestling, the coaches of Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya, and Aman Sehrawat will be accommodated in the 'non-accredited' category.

Indian Olympic Association Pushes for Yoga Inclusion in Asian GamesThe Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has made a strong case for the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games program. In a letter to Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Raja Randhir Singh, IOA President PT Usha highlighted the growing popularity of yoga worldwide and its significance for India as its spiritual home.Usha emphasized the overwhelming response to the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21, noting that people across nations have embraced yoga and experienced its benefits. She believes that India, as the birthplace of yoga, should lead the efforts to have it recognized as a sport in major international competitions."I am confident that as the spiritual home of yoga and as Vishwaguru, India can campaign for the inclusion of the sport in the Asian Games and eventually the Olympic Games as well," Usha stated.She pointed out that the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris will offer yoga sessions to visitors ahead of the Olympics next month, demonstrating the growing global interest in the practice. Usha also received encouragement from Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who sees the inclusion of yoga in the Asian Games as a stepping stone towards its recognition in the Olympics."He told me that he sees the inclusion in the Asian Games would be the first step in taking the sport to the Olympics. We need our indigenous sport to be on such platforms," Usha said.The IOA's push for yoga's inclusion in the Asian Games aligns with the government's efforts to promote yoga as a global wellness practice. The Ministry of Ayush has been actively promoting yoga through various initiatives, including the International Day of Yoga and the establishment of yoga centers worldwide.If yoga is included in the Asian Games, it would not only raise its profile but also provide a platform for Indian yogis to showcase their skills and compete against the best in Asia. It would also contribute to the growing recognition of yoga as a legitimate sport and its potential to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.