Wrestler Antim Panghal and her entourage are set to be deported from Paris after her sister, Nisha, attempted to use Antim’s accreditation to enter the Olympic Games Village during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Nisha was detained by police but later released. Following the incident, Antim’s accreditation was revoked, and the authorities decided to deport her entire support team. Antim had previously suffered a heavy 0-10 defeat to Turkey’s Yetgil Zeynep in the women’s 53 kg category.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement confirming their decision to send Antim and her support staff back home after the French authorities alerted them to the disciplinary violation.
After her loss, Antim returned to her hotel where her coach Bhagat Singh and personal coach Vikas were staying. She asked her sister to retrieve her belongings from the Games Village. Although Nisha managed to enter, she was stopped by security on her way out.
Nisha was taken to a local police station to give a statement, and the 19-year-old Antim was also summoned for questioning.
Adding to the controversy, Antim’s coaches, Vikas and Bhagat, were reportedly intoxicated during a cab ride and refused to pay the fare, leading the driver to contact the police.
An IOA source mentioned, “We are dealing with a difficult situation. Our security officer is handling it, and deportation seems likely, but we are still assessing the circumstances.”
The 19-year-old’s hopes for a bronze medal through repechage were dashed when Zeynep lost in the quarterfinals to Annika Wendle of Germany. Antim, a World Championships bronze medallist and one of the first to secure an Olympic quota in the 53 kg category, was eliminated in just 101 seconds in the first round.
