Sourav Ganguly extends support to Vinesh Phogat, says she deserves a silver medal

Legendary India cricketer Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of India wrestler Vinesh Phogat who had a heartbreaking exit from the Paris Olympics 2024. Notably, Phogat was found 100 grams heavier on the morning of her final bout against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt and hence was disqualified from the women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling.

Following her shocking exit, the Indian Olympic Association are trying their best to get the wrestler her deserving silver medal as Vinesh made an appeal in Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge her disqualification. Amid all the controversy, Ganguly has also jumped to Phogat’s defence saying that she should



at least get a silver medal for qualifying for the final.

"I don't know the exact rule, but I'm sure that when she reached the finals, she must have qualified properly. So when you go to the finals, it's either a Gold or Silver medal. Whether she was disqualified wrongfully or not, I don't know, but she deserves the Silver medal at least," said Ganguly.

VInesh Phogat's plea was heard by a Sole Arbitrator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett in Paris on Saturday. The hearing lasted three hours with senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, a renowned lawyer who has fought for many athletes in the past, representing the Indian athlete.