Heartbreaking Blow: Wrestler Antim Panghal’s Entourage Deported from Paris Olympics 2024; Accreditation Revoked

Antim Panghal’s Entourage Faces Deportation from Paris Following Accreditation Misuse

In a significant setback for Indian wrestling, Antim Panghal’s entourage is set to be deported from Paris after her sister, Nisha, was caught using Antim’s accreditation to enter the Olympic Games Village unauthorized. The incident occurred during the Paris Olympics 2024. Though Nisha was detained by police and subsequently released, the authorities decided to take strict action by canceling Antim’s accreditation and deporting her entire support staff.

Following Antim’s disappointing 0-10 loss to Turkey’s Yetgil Zeynep in the women’s 53 kg category, her entourage’s troubles compounded. According to a statement from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), they had to act swiftly when the breach came to light through the French authorities. "The Indian Olympic Association has decided to fly wrestler Antim and her support staff back after a disciplinary breach was brought to IOA’s notice by the French authorities," the IOA stated.

After her bout, Antim had gone to her hotel where her designated coach Bhagat Singh and her actual coach Vikas, who is also her primary coach, were staying. She requested her sister, Nisha, to go to the Games Village and retrieve her belongings. Though Nisha managed to enter, she was stopped by security while leaving. Both sisters were taken to a police station to record their statements.

Adding to their woes, reports suggest that Antim’s coaches, Vikas and Bhagat, allegedly took a cab in an inebriated state and refused to pay the fare, prompting the driver to call the police. An IOA source remarked, "We are fighting fire as of now. We have a bad situation at hand, our security officer is dealing with the situation. They might be deported, let’s see."

Antim’s hopes for a bronze medal through repechage were crushed when Zeynep lost to Annika Wendle of Germany in the quarterfinals. Antim, a World Championships bronze medallist and an early qualifier for the Olympics in her category, faced her defeat in just 101 seconds of the first round.

(With PTI inputs)

Topics Mentioned in this Article:

• Paris Olympics 2024
• Indian Olympic Association
• Antim Panghal
• Olympic Games Village
• Nisha Panghal
• Wrestling

Original Story https://sports.ndtv.com/olympics-2024/paris-olympics-2024-wrestler-antim-panghals-entourage-to-be-deported-from-paris-accreditation-cancelled-6287460
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