Top 10 Controversies Involving India at Olympics

Some of the biggest controversies happened in Paris itself.

The Paris Olympics 2024, meant to showcase global athletic excellence and foster international unity, has been marred by several controversies. From a drag queen act during the opening ceremony, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, to the mistaken introduction of South Korea as North Korea, the Games have faced criticism on various fronts.

Among the many nations affected by these issues, India has encountered its own share of debatable moments that have sparked discussions and debates back home. These incidents at Paris 2024 add to a historical pattern of controversies that India has faced at the Olympics.

As the closing ceremony of Paris 2024 approaches, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on the top 10 controversies involving India, not just in these Games but throughout Olympic history. These events have not only posed challenges for Indian athletes but also raised serious concerns about the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the Olympic Games.

10) Antim Panghal Returns to India After Disciplinary Breach

Antim Panghal, a medal hopeful in the women’s 53kg wrestling category, was sent home after losing in the Round of 16. Reports suggested her underperformance was due to extreme weight-cutting, having starved herself for 48 hours.

The situation escalated when her sister, Nisha Panghal, was detained by French police for misusing Antim’s accreditation. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sent Antim, her sister, brother, and coach back to India. A three-year ban is rumored but unconfirmed.

9) Fake Reports Claimed Mirabai Chanu May Win Gold at Tokyo 2020

Mirabai Chanu’s silver in the women’s 49kg weightlifting category at Tokyo 2020 brought joy to India. However, rumors later surfaced that her silver could be upgraded to gold due to a supposed doping test for Chinese gold medalist Hou Zhihui. These claims were later debunked by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Testing Agency, confirming the reports were false.

8) Sanamacha Chanu’s Doping Scandal at Athens 2004

Sanamacha Chanu, who finished fourth in the women’s 53kg weightlifting at Athens 2004, was later disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance, furosemide. This incident not only ended her Olympic campaign but also resulted in a two-year ban from the sport.

7) Vikas Krishan Yadav’s Controversial Loss at London 2012

Boxer Vikas Krishan Yadav initially won his Round of 16 bout against the USA’s Errol Spence at the London 2012 Olympics. However, following a protest from the American team, the decision was overturned by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), citing that Yadav committed nine fouls during the match. This decision sparked widespread criticism from Indian boxing fans.

6) Nikhat Zareen’s Tough Draw at Paris 2024

Despite being a two-time world champion, Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen faced a challenging draw at Paris 2024, going up against top-seeded Chinese athlete Wu Yu in the Round of 16. The seedings were based solely on continental qualifiers, disregarding results from the World Championships, which many believed put Zareen at a disadvantage.

5) Nishant Dev’s Controversial Boxing Bout at Paris 2024

In the men’s 71kg quarter-finals, Nishant Dev lost 1-4 to Mexico’s Marco Verde. Many fans and commentators felt the decision was biased, with several believing Nishant was the superior boxer. This loss ended India’s hopes for a medal in this category.

4) Controversial Calls Against Indian Hockey Team at Paris 2024

The Indian men’s hockey team faced several controversial decisions, including a red card for Amit Rohidas against Great Britain and a questionable penalty shootout awarded to Germany in the semifinals. Despite these setbacks, India secured a bronze medal, showcasing resilience against the odds.

Also read: Full list of medallist in hockey

3) Anju Bobby George Denied Medal Despite Russian Doping Scandal

At the Athens 2004 Olympics, all three Russian medalists in the women’s long jump were later found to have used performance-enhancing drugs. Despite appeals from Anju Bobby George and other affected athletes for reallocation of medals, no changes were made, and the Russian athletes retained their medals.

2) Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification at Paris 2024

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling at Paris 2024 for being 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in. Despite her impressive performance, including a victory over Japan’s Yui Susaki, Phogat’s disqualification was a significant blow. She has since appealed the decision, with a ruling expected from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

1) Ashwini Ponnappa/Jwala Gutta’s Match-Fixing Controversy at London 2012

At the London 2012 Olympics, India’s women’s doubles pair, Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta, accused the Japanese pair of deliberately losing a match to secure a more favorable draw in the quarter-finals. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) disqualified four pairs for throwing games, but no ruling was made in favor of the Indian duo.

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