NEW DELHI: Vinesh Phogat recently found herself in the spotlight for reasons beyond her athletic achievements. Following her disqualification from the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final at the Paris Olympics and the emotional return to India, reports emerged claiming that Vinesh had been awarded a cash prize of over Rs 16 crore from various organizations.
However, her husband, Somvir Rathee, has publicly refuted these claims, labelling them as false.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Rathee addressed the rumours head-on, stating, "Vinesh Phogat has not received any money from the following organizations, businessmen, companies, and parties. All of you are our well-wishers, please do not spread false news. This will not only harm us but will also harm social values. This is just a means to gain cheap popularity."
Rathee’s statement aims to clarify the misinformation that has been circulating, stressing that these unfounded claims not only mislead the public but also undermine the integrity of the situation.
The couple’s response is a call for honesty and respect, urging people to refrain from spreading baseless information.
The development comes on the heels of a challenging period for Vinesh, who was disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being overweight by a reported 100 grams.
The disqualification led to her losing an opportunity to compete for a gold medal and prompted her to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a joint silver, which was ultimately denied.
After the setback, Vinesh returned to India and was welcomed warmly by her fans and family at Delhi airport, where she was visibly moved by the support she received.
On Monday, she was seen celebrating Raksha Bandhan with her brother, offering a glimpse of joy amidst the recent turmoil.
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