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India’s Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra acknowledged wrestler Vinesh Phogat ’s contribution to Indian sports and requested the fellow countrymen to not forget it in case the CAS doesn’t verdict in her favour. The Paris Olympics 2024 silver medallist shared his thoughts on the plea filed by Phogat with the Court of Arbitrary Sports to issue her a joint silver medal in the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling. Notably, Phogat was disqualified on the day of her gold medal bout after she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit at the Summer Games 2024.
Following her disqualification, the wrestler and her team filed a plea with the CAS for a joint silver medal which was accepted by the international body. The Switzerland-based body was earlier set to announce its decision on August 10. However, during the Saturday’s hearing, it extended the deadline by 24 hours, and as per the latest development, it will announce its decision on August 11, Sunday, at 9:30 pm IST.
I hope we don't forget what Vinesh Phogat has done for India: Neeraj Chopra
Addressing Phogat’s plea filed in CAS, Chopra said that it would be good if she wins a medal; however, even if she doesn’t Indians should not forget what she has done for the country. He said, "All of us know that if she gets the medal it will be really good. She would have got the medal if such a situation did not arise. It's hard to cope until you have that medal around your neck.”
The Indian javelin thrower continued, "If we don't get the medal, people remember us for some time and say we are their champions but if we don't get the medal they forget us as well in a few days...I just want to request people to not forget what Vinesh has done for the country.”
