NEW DELHI: Commonwealth Games gold medalist weightlifter Achinta Sheuli was expelled from Paris Olympic Games preparatory camp after being caught entering the women’s shelter at night in NIS Patiala.
The disciplinary offense occurred Thursday evening. The 22-year-old, who competes in the men’s 73kg weight category, was stopped by security personnel, who took a video of the athlete.
“Obviously, such indiscipline will not be tolerated. Achinta has been asked to leave the camp immediately,” an official said. Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) told PTI on condition of anonymity.
THE Sports Authority of India and Executive Director of NIS Patiala, Vineet Kumar, were immediately informed about the incident. Since there was video evidence of the incident, SAI did not constitute a commission of inquiry.
“The video was sent to NIS Patiala ED Vineet Kumar and IAS headquarters in New Delhi and the IWLF was asked to remove Achinta from the camp,” an IAS source said.
Sheuli, who won gold at the CWG Birmingham 2022 in a Games record, left camp on Friday.
The Patiala facility has separate hostels for male and female athletes. Currently, female boxers, athletes and wrestlers are stationed at the NIS.
This is not the first time that the IWLF has taken strict action against a weightlifter for disciplinary violations. CWG and Youth Olympics champion Jeremy Lalrinnunga has already been expelled from the national camp for indiscipline.
Sheuli out of Olympic race
Following his expulsion, Sheuli’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics have also ended as he will not compete in this month’s IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, which is a mandatory event for the qualification for the Paris Games.
Sheuli is currently ranked 27th in the Olympic qualifying rankings and had a chance to qualify via the continental quota.
“It’s a real shame because he was actually starting to get back on track after his injury,” the source added.
Only silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics Mirabaï Chanu (49 kg) and CWG silver medalist Bindyarani Devi remain in contention for the Paris Games.
Both men will travel to Thailand later this month to compete in the IWF World Cup.
The tournament will mark Chanu’s return to competition after suffering a hip tendinitis injury in August last year.
According to the 2024 Olympic qualification rule, a weightlifter is required to participate in the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 World Cup.
In addition to the above, weightlifters must also compete in three of the following events: the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 Continental Championships, the 2023 Grand Prix 1, the 2023 Grand Prix II and the 2024 Continental Championships.
The disciplinary offense occurred Thursday evening. The 22-year-old, who competes in the men’s 73kg weight category, was stopped by security personnel, who took a video of the athlete.
“Obviously, such indiscipline will not be tolerated. Achinta has been asked to leave the camp immediately,” an official said. Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) told PTI on condition of anonymity.
THE Sports Authority of India and Executive Director of NIS Patiala, Vineet Kumar, were immediately informed about the incident. Since there was video evidence of the incident, SAI did not constitute a commission of inquiry.
“The video was sent to NIS Patiala ED Vineet Kumar and IAS headquarters in New Delhi and the IWLF was asked to remove Achinta from the camp,” an IAS source said.
Sheuli, who won gold at the CWG Birmingham 2022 in a Games record, left camp on Friday.
The Patiala facility has separate hostels for male and female athletes. Currently, female boxers, athletes and wrestlers are stationed at the NIS.
This is not the first time that the IWLF has taken strict action against a weightlifter for disciplinary violations. CWG and Youth Olympics champion Jeremy Lalrinnunga has already been expelled from the national camp for indiscipline.
Sheuli out of Olympic race
Following his expulsion, Sheuli’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics have also ended as he will not compete in this month’s IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, which is a mandatory event for the qualification for the Paris Games.
Sheuli is currently ranked 27th in the Olympic qualifying rankings and had a chance to qualify via the continental quota.
“It’s a real shame because he was actually starting to get back on track after his injury,” the source added.
Only silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics Mirabaï Chanu (49 kg) and CWG silver medalist Bindyarani Devi remain in contention for the Paris Games.
Both men will travel to Thailand later this month to compete in the IWF World Cup.
The tournament will mark Chanu’s return to competition after suffering a hip tendinitis injury in August last year.
According to the 2024 Olympic qualification rule, a weightlifter is required to participate in the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 World Cup.
In addition to the above, weightlifters must also compete in three of the following events: the 2022 World Championships, the 2023 Continental Championships, the 2023 Grand Prix 1, the 2023 Grand Prix II and the 2024 Continental Championships.