Wrestling Federation of India president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh responded to the sexual harassment allegations against him after star athletes like Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia sat in protest along with several other colleagues at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Brijbhushan denied all the allegations against him on Wednesday.
"There has been no incident of sexual harassment. If such a thing has happened, then I will hang myself. Is there any person in front who can say that the Federation harassed any athlete?" said Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
"Sexual harassment is a big allegation. How can I take action when my own name has been dragged into this? I am ready for an investigation.
"I want to ask Vinesh Phogat, why did she wear a costume with a company's logo on it in the Olympics? After she lost the match, I only encouraged & motivated her," Singh added.
The WFI chief turned the tables on the wrestlers by claiming that none of the protesters took part in any nation tournament after the Tokyo Olympics last year.
"Wrestlers who are sitting on protest have not contested any national tournament after the Olympics," said Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.
What the Wrestlers are Alleging
Three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat told reporters that she was sexually exploited after the Tokyo Games by the WFI.
"After the Tokyo Olympics defeat, the Wrestling Federation of India mentally tortured me. I used to think of ending my life each day," Phogat said.
"Women wrestlers have been sexually harassed at national camps by coaches and also the WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma.
"Some of the coaches appointed at national camps have been sexually harassing women Wrestlers for years. The WFI president is also involved in sexual harassment. Many young women wrestlers have complained and cried about being sexually harassed at national camps,” she added.
Fellow wrestler Sakshee Malik also joined in the protest and slammed the WFI. "Sportspersons work hard to win medals for the country, but the Federation has done nothing but let us down. Players are being harassed by imposing arbitrary laws," Malik said.
