FACING criticism from all quarters for being insensitive towards the protesting wrestlers, IOA President PT Usha on Wednesday met them at the protest site and assured the grapplers of her support, saying she was first an athlete and then an administrator. Former sprinter Usha had come down heavily on the wrestlers for resuming their protest instead of approaching the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for their issues.

She had said that the wrestlers should have shown some discipline and that they had tarnished the country’s image by hitting the streets, a comment that brought criticism for her and the IOA. Usha left without speaking with the media but Bajrang Punia said she has assured them help. “Initially when she said that, we felt very bad but then she said that her comments were misinterpreted. She said that she is first an athlete and then an administrator,” said Bajrang, the Tokyo Games bronze medallist.

“We told her that we want justice. We don’t have a fight with the Government or opposition or anyone else. We are sitting here for the betterment of wrestling. If this issue is resolved and if the allegations (against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh) are proved then there should be legal action,” he added. When asked if Usha had come with a solution from the Government or from the IOA, Punia said, “Nothing of that sort”. “She only said that she is with us.”