‘Very disturbing’: Now, IOC slams police’s ‘treatment’ of wrestlers | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A day after wrestling world body UWW condemned the police “treatment” and detention of protesting Indian wrestlers here on May 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday told the authorities to ensure the “safety and well-being” of the wrestlers throughout the ongoing probe against Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) sidelined president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges.
“The treatment of the wrestling athletes over the weekend was very disturbing. The IOC insists the allegations by wrestlers are followed up on by an unbiased criminal investigation… We understand that a first step towards such a criminal investigation has been made, but more steps have to follow before concrete actions become visible… We urge this investigation to be speedily concluded,” the IOC added.
The IOC’s sharp reaction came in response to the Delhi police’s alleged mistreatment of wrestlers, who were pushed, dragged and carried off in buses during their march towards the new Parliament building on May 28. The wrestlers, in agreement with leaders from khap and kisan unions, had called for a women’s mahapanchayat outside the Parliament.
They were briefly detained by the police before being let-off in the evening. Those detained included Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh and double World Championships medallist Vinesh Phogat.

The police have filed an FIR against the ‘organisers’ of the women’s mahapanchayat. The IOC added that it has been in touch with UWW over the situa- tion.
“From the very beginning of the allegations, the IOC has been in close contact with UWW, which has already taken measures. The IOC supports UWW as the competent sporting authority to address this issue as it pertains to the governance of the sport of wrestling in India. We have been informed by UWW that the president of the WFI is currently not in charge. The IOC will continue to support UWW in all their efforts and in the fram- ework of the IOC guidelines for international federations and NOCs for safeguarding athletes from ha- rassment and abuse in sport,” the statement read.
The IOC also urged the PT Ushaled Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take all necessary actions to “protect athletes and to make sure that the elections to the new executive council (EC) of the WFI happens as planned and, in line with the regulations of UWW”.