'Leave politics out': Athletics body chief blasts Vinesh Phogat conspiracy theories

Phogat, who was to compete for the gold medal on Wednesday in the women's 50 kg final against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, was disqualified by the event organisers as she was found to be 100 gm overweight hours before the match.

Dismissing conspiracy theories behind wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla said the issue was a matter of "technicality" and should not be politicised. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sumariwalla flagged that Phogat had always participated in the 53 kg category before she made the switch to 50 kg.

Phogat, who was to compete for the gold medal on Wednesday in the women's 50 kg final against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, was disqualified by the event organisers as she was found to be 100 gm overweight hours before the match.

"There is no conspiracy. If you are overweight, you are overweight. It's a technicality. She always fought in the higher category and had to cut down on her weight. In such scenarios, there is always a chance of missing the 50 kg mark. There is no relaxation for excess weight," Sumariwalla said.