Indian wrestler Antim Panghal’s Olympic dream has turned into a nightmare. Accused of attempting to ‘smuggle’ her sister into the Athletes’ Village, Panghal faces deportation along with her support staff. The incident has caused a major embarrassment for India at the Olympics. The IOA has taken a st
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Indian wrestler Antim Panghal, competing in the 53kg category, found herself in hot water after a serious breach of Olympic regulations. In a desperate attempt to have her sister by her side, it is alleged that Panghal orchestrated a plan to ‘smuggle’ her into the Athletes’ Village in Paris. This audacious act was a flagrant disregard for the strict rules governing the Olympic Games.
Consequences for Antim Panghal and Her Sister
- The repercussions of Panghal’s actions were swift and severe.
- Both she and her sister were summoned by the police and are facing deportation back to India.
- This outcome is a harsh reality check for the young wrestler, whose Olympic dream has taken a devastating turn.
Involvement of wrestler’s support staff
- The scandal did not end with Antim Panghal. Her coaches, Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were also embroiled in a separate incident.
- Their refusal to pay a cab driver and subsequent misconduct led to a police complaint.
- This further tarnishes the image of the Indian wrestling team and raises questions about the behavior of the support staff.
IOA’s strong action
- The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has taken a firm stance on the matter.
- Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the IOA has decided to send Antim Panghal and her support staff back to India.
- This decision underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining discipline and upholding the integrity of the Indian contingent at the Olympics.
- The incident involving Antim Panghal is a stain on India’s Olympic campaign and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations of such prestigious events.
Clarification by the wrestler
- “My sister took my accreditation and went to the village. She asked the officials if she could take my stuff, as I wasn’t feeling good.”
- “They took the accreditation and took her to the police station for verification. She was only taken to the police station for verification, nothing else.”
- Furthermore, she expressed that the verbal fight associated with the support staff was a result of miscommunication with the cab driver.
- “As far as coming to India is concerned, I called the officials at SAI right after the bout to please arrange a flight back home for today or earliest by tomorrow. So, the flight was already booked. I just request all of you to not spread rumors.”
This fiasco has further added to the misery of the wrestler who suffered a crushing defeat in her first-round match. The loss, coupled with the ongoing scandal, has cast a long shadow over India’s medal hopes in wrestling.
