Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat despite his failure to win a medal in Paris Olympics 2024.

Vinesh Phogat has become the toast of India since becoming the first Indian to reach the finals of wrestling at the Paris Olympics 2024. To everyone's shock and disappointment, Vinesh was unable to compete against Sarah Ann Hildebrand in the 50 kg wrestling final. United States because she was 100gms overweight the next day—which disqualified her from the entire competition.

The Indian wrestler appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award a joint silver medal for reaching the final, but the CAS dismissed the plea with a one-line order on Wednesday (August 14).

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian wrestler in front of all the Paris Olympians during an interaction at his residence on Thursday (August 15).

“Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the finals of wrestling. It is a very proud moment for us,” said Prime Minister Modi on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 while interacting with the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence in Delhi.

Check out PM Narendra Modi's thoughts on Vinesh Phogat here…

Video | “Vinesh became the first Indian to reach the finals of wrestling. This is a proud moment for us, said Prime Minister Modi.@narendramodi) on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, while interacting with the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence in Delhi… pic.twitter.com/kZa8KLFwl7

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) 16 August 2024

The Paris Olympics were promoted as eco-friendly games. Hence, none of the rooms in the Games Village had air conditioners, forcing the Sports Ministry to urgently send 40 portable ACs for their comfortable stay. Smiling, Modi asked all the players if they all cursed him for the situation, to which no one replied.

“There was no AC and it was hot, so I want to know who among you first shouted 'Modi talks big but there are no ACs in the rooms, so what should we do',” Modi said.

“Who are all there who faced the most difficulties. But later I came to know that within a few hours that too was done. See how we try to provide you with the best facilities,” added the Prime Minister.

Modi also had a light-hearted chat with Harmanpreet Singh, who spoke about how the team fought back after being reduced to 10 men for over 40 minutes in the quarter-final against Great Britain. “Just tell me when you are going to play against Britain with 10 men, you must have been disappointed from the start, Sarpanch saab, please tell me, it was very difficult,” Modi asked, addressing India's hockey captain by his nickname.

Harmanpreet replied: “Yes sir, it was very difficult because we got a red card in the first quarter but our coaching staff helped us a lot. We imagined every scenario because anything can happen in the Olympics. The motivation of the team also increased because we have a competition with GB (Britain).”

Modi interrupted and laughed and said, “This has been going on for the last 150 years.”