Antim Panghal likely to be banned for three years over Olympic misconduct: Source

Wrestler Antim Panghal will be banned for three years by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for attempting to facilitate her sister's entry into the athletes' village using her accreditation card, a source informed PTI. Panghal, who exited the Olympics after losing her opening bout in the women's 53kg category on Wednesday, will see the decision formally announced once she reaches India.

The IOA's action comes after French authorities brought the disciplinary breach to their notice, leading to the decision to send Panghal and her support staff back to India.

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"Her sister was caught for impersonation and was taken to a police station to record her statement," a source revealed.

"The decision will be formally announced after she reaches India," the contingent source said.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had earlier decided to fly wrestler Antim Panghal and her support staff back to India due to a disciplinary breach during the ongoing Paris Olympics. The decision followed a complaint from French authorities after Antim gave her Olympic Village accreditation to her sister.

"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.

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This incident has caused embarrassment to the Indian Olympic contingent, marking a serious violation of protocol during the prestigious event.

Details of the Incident
Antim Panghal, a young wrestler who recently turned 20, allowed her sister to use her accreditation to enter the Olympic Village. This action violated the strict rules governing accreditation use. The French authorities reported the breach to the IOA, prompting the decision to send Antim and her team 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 statement added.

Impact on Antim Panghal

Earlier in the day, Antim faced a significant defeat in the women's 53 kg freestyle round of 16 bout against Zeynep Yetgil of Turkey. The Turkish wrestler, a U23 European championship bronze medallist, won the match on technical superiority. Antim's loss came as a surprise to many, given her previous achievements and potential as a medal contender.

Antim began wrestling at the age of 10 and quickly rose to prominence with the support of her family. She earned a bronze medal at the World Championships last year, which secured her place at the Paris Olympics. Despite being a serious medal prospect, Antim's performance against Yetgil was lackluster, leading to a swift and decisive defeat.

Vinesh Phogat's Retirement Announcement

In a separate development, another shockwave hit the Indian wrestling community when Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling. Vinesh, who was disqualified from the 50 kg women's wrestling event for breaching the weight mark, decided to retire following her disqualification. She had previously entered the gold medal bout after defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-finals.

India's Performance at Paris Olympics
India has so far won three bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, all in shooting. However, the recent controversies surrounding its wrestlers have cast a shadow over the country's performance. The disqualification and subsequent retirement of Vinesh Phogat, coupled with Antim Panghal's disciplinary breach and defeat, have left the Indian delegation in a state of shock and disappointment.