Wrestler turned politician Vinesh Phogat who was disqualified for being overweight just ahead of the finals in the 50 kg category wrestling event at the 2024 Paris Olympics has opted for a cash prize after the Haryana government offered her benefits equivalent to an Olympic silver medallist.
She was asked to make a choice between a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, a job under Group A and a Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran plot.
The chief minister said that Vinesh is a daughter of the state and that she would receive the award as an Olympic silver medallist. He referred to Phogat as ”Haryana’s pride” and said that he would not allow her honour to be diminished.
Vinesh Phogat opted for the cash prize of Rs 4 crore and said that it’s not about the money involved but about respect.She contested the Haryana Assembly elections held last year from Julana in Jind district on a Congress party ticket.
