Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal for a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Indian Olympic contingent.
PM Modi praises Vinesh Phogat
Despite the disappointing outcome, the Prime Minister lauded Phogat's historic achievement of becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach the Olympic final. During a meeting with the athletes at his residence, Modi emphasized that Vinesh's accomplishment was a source of immense pride for the nation.
“Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the wrestling finals. It is a moment of great pride for us,” said PM Modi.
Vinesh Phogat suffered a big heartbreak after CAS dismissing her appeal for a joint silver medal. Despite the Indian Olympic Association exploring potential next steps, the decision brought a painful end to a saga that captivated the nation. In a poignant social media post, Phogat shared a photo of herself on the wrestling mat, her head in her hands. The image, devoid of a caption, offered a glimpse into the wrestler's emotional state following the devastating news.
PM Modi encourages disappointed athletes
Prime Minister Modi extended words of encouragement to the Indian athletes who returned without medals from the Paris Olympics. He emphasized that sports is a journey of learning and growth, and setbacks are an inevitable part of the process. Modi assured the athletes that every experience, win or loss, contributes to their development.
“First of all, those who have lost should take this out of their mind that they have lost. You have held the national flag high and you have learnt something. That’s why, sport is the only field where nobody loses,” said PM Modi.
ALSO READ: Vinesh Phogat's first reaction after CAS shatters her dream of Paris Olympics Silver Medal
India's Paris Olympic campaign
India secured a total of six medals at the Paris Olympics, comprising one silver and five bronze. The nation sent a strong contingent of 117 athletes, including 47 women, to represent the country on the global stage. While the medal tally was a positive outcome, India also narrowly missed out on medals in several events, with six athletes finishing in fourth place. Notable examples include PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu, who narrowly missed the podium.
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