NEW YORK: As things stand, Yogeshwar Dutt won’t get his bronze from the London Olympics upgraded to gold. While the news is a disappointment for a country where Olympic medals are a premium and gold medals a rarity, the wrestler does not feel he lost out in the confusion surrounding retrospective dope tests and medal upgrades that has played out over the past two weeks.
The United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s world governing body, clarified on Tuesday that the gold medallist from the 2012 Games, Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan, has not committed any dope violation.
The confirmation by UWW put to rest speculation over the possibility of a double upgrade for Yogeshwar, who is likely to be given the silver after Russian Besik Kudukhov, who died in a car crash in 2013, was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance.
Soon after UWW announced through a tweet that Asgarov was cleared, Yogeshwar responded by congratulating the Azerbaijan wrestler, who also won gold in Rio in the 65kg category.
He had earlier said it would be great if the authorities allowed Kudukhov to keep the silver as it would be a dishonour to the deceased wrestler and his family to have the medal taken away.
Medals are valued in the sporting arena, but beyond the glitter and windfall, a medal exemplifies the fulfillment of a lifelong quest.
{{/usCountry}}Medals are valued in the sporting arena, but beyond the glitter and windfall, a medal exemplifies the fulfillment of a lifelong quest.
{{/usCountry}}Any sportsperson would want the quest to bear fruit on the biggest global platform. In wrestling, that would mean pushing oneself to overcome the technical guile and physical prowess of the opponent.
Yogeshwar displayed that during his bronze-medal bout against Ri Jong-Myong of North Korea in London, where he executed the now famous phittle (ankle lace) lock and roll to perfection and win his prize. The medal and the endearing image of an exhausted Yogeshwar with a swollen right eye is what comes to mind when we think of the champion.
That image gives closure to Dutt’s quest and not gold or silver that he could have won by default just because another champion wrestler made a wrong choice.
For Indian fans, there is every reason to cheer for our champion. Yogeshwar, who fought his heart out to win a medal for the country, displayed greater heart to suggest that it is not the colour of the medal but the ethics of sport that should prevail.