Neeraj Chopra joined the millions of Indian fans in supporting Vinesh Phogat after the wrestler was shockingly disqualified hours before her final bout in the women's 50kg category on Wednesday. Neeraj claimed India's only silver in Paris on Friday and requested Indian fans to not forget Vinesh's eventful campaign in the 33rd Summer Games.
Vinesh approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to plea for a silver and the latter is expected to announce their verdict on Saturday evening. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) revealed that they are hopeful of a positive outcome after the CAS concluded a hearing on Friday.
While talking to reporters in Paris, Neeraj asserted that if Vinesh misses out on a medal, then the people will remember her Paris 2024 campaign only some time and requested everyone to not forget what the wrestler has done for her country.
"All of us know that if she gets the medal it will be really good," Neeraj Chopra told reporters in Paris. "She would have got the medal if such a situation did not arise. 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...I just want to request people to not forget what Vinesh has done for the county."
Neeraj rounded off his campaign with a silver but many Indian supporters felt disappointed after missing out on a gold to Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, India's campaign ended on Saturday after the young wrestler Reetika Hooda was eliminated in the quarter-final round of the 76kg wrestling category. India wrapped up somehow mixed campaign with one silver and five bronze medals. Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale, Men's hockey team and Aman Sehrawat found a place on a podium in Paris.
