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Xtra Time Web Desk: In response to the controversy surrounding Vinesh Phogat's disqualification for being overweight at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has made it clear that the responsibility for managing an athlete’s weight lies solely with the athlete and their coach, not with the IOA's medical team.

Phogat, who was set to compete in the gold medal bout in the women’s freestyle 50kg category, was disqualified after being found 100 grams over the weight limit during the morning weigh-in. The disqualification ended her Olympic campaign and prompted her to announce her retirement from wrestling, sparking widespread criticism and a blame game.

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Following the incident, there was significant backlash against the IOA's medical team, particularly Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, with accusations of negligence. Former IOA President Narendra Batra even suggested that Phogat's diet could have contributed to the disqualification.

PT Usha, however, emphasized in her statement that managing an athlete’s weight is the responsibility of the athlete and their coach. “The responsibility of weight management in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with each athlete and their coach, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team,” Usha stated.

She condemned the attacks on the IOA medical team as "unacceptable" and urged those criticizing the team to consider all the facts before drawing conclusions. Usha also clarified that the IOA's medical team was primarily appointed to assist with recovery and injury management, not weight management.

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Vinesh Phogat has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was promoted to the final after Phogat's disqualification. The CAS decision is expected on August 13.

Usha’s statement serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate accountability in sports, particularly in high-stakes events like the Olympics.