Asian Games gold medal winner wrestler Vinesh Phogat has tested positive for the COVID-19. She was tested on Saturday by the government of India as per the protocol to receive the country’s top sports accolade, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, in New Delhi on Saturday.
“My test was done yesterday and it came positive. I am at home in Bhiwani right now. Now, my family members will also get tested tomorrow. I still didn’t feel any symptoms. I am absolutely fine,” Vinesh told IANS. “I will miss the award ceremony.”
Vinesh is the only Indian woman wrestler to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics which is postponed to 2021 citing health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also about to join her camp for the Olympic weight lifting category from September 1.
Speaking to IANS, Vinesh had said, “I am not going to attend the camp. I am training everyday with coach Om Parkash. The situation is not good to travel to Lucknow.”
“It would be advisable if the coaches redraw the training schedules of athletes. We are now looking at October end or early November for some competitions for seniors and late November for Juniors,” AFI President Adille J. Sumariwalla said. “At no point of time do we want to risk the health of our athletes by rushing them into competition with uncertainty and doubt uppermost in their minds,” he said
