The Haryana government has announced that wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the Olympics for being overweight before her gold medal bout in the 50 kg category, will be felicitated like a medallist.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini made this announcement on Thursday, stating that Phogat will receive the same reward given to Olympic silver medallists.
Despite her disqualification for being 100 grams overweight, Phogat will be offered the same recognition and rewards as a silver medallist under the state's sports policy.
This includes a financial reward of Rs 4 crore, which is the amount given to Olympic silver medal winners.
Phogat, who has decided to retire from international wrestling, made her announcement on social media. The 29-year-old expressed her inability to continue her career and sought forgiveness from her supporters.
Chief Minister Saini expressed his admiration for Phogat, calling her a "brave daughter of Haryana."
In a post on X, he said, "Our government has decided that Vinesh Phogat will be welcomed and felicitated like a medallist. All the respect, reward, and facilities that the Haryana government offers an Olympic silver medallist will be offered to Vinesh Phogat as well."
Under Haryana's sports policy, gold medallists in the Olympic Games receive Rs 6 crore, silver medallists Rs 4 crore, and bronze medallists Rs 2.5 crore.
Phogat had made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in the 50 kg event. Despite not being able to compete in the final, she remains a champion in the eyes of her state and supporters.
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