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Vinesh Phogat and her husband Somvir Rathee (Instagram)
Somvir Rathee clairified that Vinesh Phogat did not receive Rs 16 crore prize money.
Vinesh Phogat’s husband Somvir Rathee dismissed rumours of her Olympian wife receiving Rs 16 crore prize money from private companies, businessmen and political parties after she returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside New Delhi’s IGI airport on Saturday to give a rousing welcome to Vinesh as she was felicitated by her supporters and ‘khap‘ panchayats in several villages on her way to Balali from the national capital, as it took her almost 13 hours to cover 135 kms.
The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the Paris Olympics after failing to make weight on the second day of the competition. Scheduled to compete in the gold medal bout in the women’s 50kg category, Vinesh was found overweight by 100g on August 8. She had become the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Olympic final and her disqualification created a flutter in the wrestling world, especially after her stunning victory over the legendary Yui Susaki, who had not lost a single bout in her international career before bumping into Vinesh.
“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,” he wrote on X.
निम्नलिखित संस्थाओं, व्यापारियों, कंपनियों और पार्टियों द्वारा विनेश फोगाट को कोई धनराशि प्राप्त नहीं हुई है. आप सभी हमारे शुभचिंतक लोग हैं, कृपया झूठी खबरें न फ़ैलाएँ. इससे हमारा नुक़सान तो होगा ही. सामाजिक मूल्यों का भी नुक़सान होगा.यह सस्ती लोकप्रियता पाने का साधन मात्र है. pic.twitter.com/ziUaA8ct1W
— Somvir Rathee (@somvir_rathee) August 18, 2024
Vinesh had earlier credited her husband Somvir’s support after the CAS verdict dismissing her appeal
“Somvir has taken every place in my life with his companionship and supported me with each role he took. To say we were equal partners when we faced a challenge would be wrong, for he sacrificed at each step and took my hardships, shielding me always. He placed my journey above his and offered his companionship with utmost loyalty, dedication and honesty. If not for him, I cannot imagine being here, continuing my fight and taking each day head-on. This is only possible because I know he is standing with me, behind me and when needed in front of me, always protecting me,” Vinesh had written.
