Indian wrestler Antim Panghal says reports of she, her sister being detained are false, misinformation

Amid ongoing controversy in the wrestling world, Indian wrestler Antim Panghal said the reports about she and her sister being detained by the police in Paris are incorrect. She pleaded to stop the flow of misinformation and presented her side of the incident on Thursday in a video statement. The 20-year-old said that her sister was taken to the police to verify the wrestler's Olympics accreditation card, and not due to detention from a scuffle with the a cab driver.

"I wanted my luggage that was kept at the village. Then my sister went to the village with my accreditation card. She asked for my luggage. They took my accreditation card and took her to police station for the verification. They are saying that the coach fought with cab driver. But it was not so. We had booked his cab, he came to the hotel. He told the driver that he did not have the Euro and hence came to the room to take Euro to pay him. It led to an altercation but not like it is being talked." she said.



Moreover, The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) refuted on Thursday claims of a three-year ban being imposed on the wrestler post this alleged incident.

"It requests media persons to please check with the IOA leadership before posting such reports," it said in a post through Team India on micro-social media platform X.

What happened earlier?

Antim Panghal allowed her sister to use her accreditation to enter the Olympic Village which violated the strict rules governing accreditation use. The French authorities had reported the breach to the IOA, prompting the reports that Antim and her team were to be sent back home.

"Antim Panghal gave her accreditation to her sister to help her enter the Games Village on her accreditation. French authorities complained to the IOA, and that's why she will be sent back to India with her support staff," the IOA statement had said.

Panghal had exited the Olympics after losing her opening bout in the women's 53kg category on Wednesday.