On late Sunday night, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha put the onus of making weight in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo on the athlete, and not on the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team.
This statement comes in the backdrop of the ongoing case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport that is handling Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint-silver medal after she was disqualified for not making the weight cut on the morning of the gold medal match.
ALSO READ | Paris 2024 Olympics: What happens if Vinesh Phogat wins CAS appeal asking for joint-silver medal?
“The responsibility of weight management of athletes in sport like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo is that of each athlete and his or her coach and NOT that of the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team,” the IOA statement issued on Sunday read.
“Each Indian athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in such sport had his or her own support team. These support teams have been working with the athletes over so many years,” the statement added.
The statement went on to clarify that the IOA appointed a medical team a couple of months ago, primarily as a team that would assist in the recovery and injury management of athletes during and after their competition. This team was also designed to support athletes who did not have their own team of nutritionists and physiotherapists.
“The hate directed at the IOA medical team, especially Dr. Pardiwala, is unacceptable and worthy of condemnation, She (Usha) hope that those rushing to judge the IOA medical team would consider all facts before arriving at any conclusions.”
The CAS will deliver its final verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal on August 13.
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