Indian Wrestler Antim Panghal's Controversial Exit from Paris Olympic Village

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal faced disciplinary action for trying to facilitate her sister's entry into the Olympic Games Village using her accreditation card. The incident left the Indian Olympic Association embarrassed, leading to her immediate return to India. Furthermore, her support staff were implicated in a separate incident involving a Parisian taxi driver.

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal, who found herself in hot water following a disciplinary breach at the Olympic Games' athletes village in Paris, returned to the country on Friday.

Panghal made headlines on Wednesday after attempting to facilitate her sister's entry into the athletes village using her accreditation card, resulting in police summons. The incident embarrassed the country and infuriated the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which promptly decided to bring Panghal and her support staff home after being notified of the transgression by French authorities. Despite Panghal's claims of unintentional wrongdoing, she faces likely disciplinary action.

Panghal quickly exited the Indira Gandhi International Airport in her Team India jersey, refusing interaction with awaiting reporters. She was eliminated from the competition earlier following a 0-10 loss in her opening 53 kg freestyle bout to Turkey's Yetgil Zeynep. After her defeat, Panghal, who said she was unwell, allegedly gave her accreditation card to her sister Nisha to fetch belongings from the Games Village. Village security personnel intercepted Nisha, and both women ended up at the village police station by Wednesday evening.

Further complicating the matter, Panghal's coaches, Bhagat Singh and Vikas, were involved in a separate incident with a Parisian taxi driver, refusing to pay the fare and behaving inappropriately before quickly retreating. The taxi driver reported the incident to the police.

(With inputs from agencies.)