Blame Coaches, Not Us: IOA President PT Usha Reacts On Vinesh Phogat Weight Controversy

IOA President PT Usha said that the Chief Medical Officer appointed by IOA, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, should not be blamed for the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the women's 50 kg final at the Paris Olympics. Instead, the coach and support staff of the wrestler should be held accountable.

In a statement issued by IOA said that weight management of an athlete in sports such as wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo is the sole responsibility of the athlete and their coaching team.

PT Usha Sets Record Straight On Medical Team

IOA President PT Usha clarified that it was not for Chief IOA-appointed Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala nor his team to control the weight of sportspersons in wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo.

According to Usha, services by Dr. Pardiwala and his team were nominated just months before the Games. The main objective of the team was to help the athletes recover from their events and injuries during the Games and further to help them post the events. The IOA medical team would also help the athletes who do not have their nutritionists and physiotherapists.

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IOA Slams Unfair Blame On Medical Team

'IOA had sent a medical team a few months before to discuss the recovery and management of injuries to be suffered by athletes before and after their competitions, as well as to cover for some athletes who did not have their nutrition assistant and physiotherapists. The whole accusation charge on the team from IOA, specifically citing Dr. Pardiwala is ill-minded, and it must not be taken lightly. "It is hoped that all those rushing to condemn the IOA medical team will take into account all the facts before coming to any conclusions,' the statement read.

Vinesh Phogat Fights Disqualification

Vinesh was denied the shot at the gold medal as she was disqualified from the final round for surpassing the 50kg weight limit in the wrestling category. She later appealed her Olympic disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal in the 50kg weight category.

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