Champion wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday following the heartbreak in Paris Olympics where she was disqualified for being overweight after reaching the 50kg final. Phogat was overcome by emotions and broke down when wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia greeted her upon her return. "I thank the entire country," PTI quoted the wrestler say.
VIDEO | "I thank the entire country," says wrestler Vinesh Phogat (@Phogat_Vinesh) as she receives a grand welcome at Delhi's IGI airport upon arrival from Paris.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/i3NYClju1X
There was a thick security cover as Phogat, who was found 100 grams overweight on the day of her bout earlier this month, landed in the national capital.
Phogat had to stay back in Paris after she had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a joint silver which was eventually dismissed on Wednesday.
London Olympics bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang, who was the chief de mission of the Indian contingent in Paris, called her a champion, posting a photo with Phogat at the Paris airport. Both of them were on the same flight to Delhi.
"She came as a champion on day 1 into the games village and she will always remain our champion. Sometimes one doesn’t need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams.. @vineshphogat you have inspired generations. Salute to your grit," Narang posted on X.
She came as a champion on day 1 into the games village and she will always remain our champion .
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) August 17, 2024
Sometimes one doesn’t need an Olympic medal to inspire a billion dreams.. @vineshphogat you have inspired generations. .
Salute to your grit 🫡 pic.twitter.com/8m6zQVSS2L
"She has come back to her country after such a long time. She is very emotional also. She will spend time with family and calm herself. What Vinesh has done for women is praiseworthy. She might not have received a medal, but she is a champion for us," said Sakshi Malik.
"Vinesh is returning to the country. People have come here at the (Delhi) airport to welcome her. People are also waiting to welcome her at our village. People are exciting to meet Vinesh and encourage her," her brother Harvinder Phogat said.
She will also be given a grand welcome at her native village in Balali in Haryana.
(With PTI Inputs...)