Vijay Goel at Rio: India awaits first medal even though Vijay Goel is first

“We have had multiple reports of your Minister for Sports trying to enter accredited areas at venues with unaccredited individuals. When the staff tried to explain that this is not allowed, they reported that the people with the Minister have become aggressive and rude and sometimes pushed past our staff,” said Peterson in the letter.

“As you can understand, this type of behaviour is not acceptable. Despite previous warnings, it would seem that even today the same incident occurred at the Rio Olympic Arena (Gymnastics venue) and Carioca Arena 3,” Peterson added.

“Should our protocol team be made aware of further examples of this type of behaviour, the accreditation of your Minister for Sports will be cancelled and his privileges at the Olympic Games withdrawn. We trust you will pass on this message urgently,” she said.

Gupta tried to play down the incident, but acknowledged that Goel had been on the field of play at the hockey venue.

And the gold for Selfies goes to Sports Minister Vijay Goel but Rio panel isn’t amused

“At the completion of the India-Japan game, when India did well, the Minister was invited by the team to interact with the players. He went down to the field with the volunteers of the Organising Committee and met the players,” Gupta said in a statement.

“However, the moment it was brought to his notice he left the field and met the players outside. Since then, whenever the Minister has visited the field of play at any venue, he has done so with a special pass. It is unfortunate that a non-issue is being made an issue without any reason,” he added.

The news had already taken over Twitter and people couldn’t resist from sharing their opinions.

Here’s how twitterati reacted.

India has its first Rio gold: in selfies for our dear sports min! I guess it’s called Follow The Leader ! 😄 https://t.co/DXAsMXB2Pr

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) 12 August 2016

Shows zero sensibility for sports, exposes political culture as ridiculous and abrasive https://t.co/qYcBmsK1tW

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) 12 August 2016

The picture on left is literally disturbing. How stupid is this Vijay Goel. pic.twitter.com/mFjmaCj7mw

— Abhinav AAP (@AbhinavAAP) 12 August 2016

I’m waiting for India to get a medal.
Third place? Nice. Second place? Super.
But, tell me, why is Vijay Goel in Brazil in the first place?

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) 11 August 2016

To my knowledge, we have been following all rules & regulations. We are committed to the spirit of Olympics & back our Indian players. (1/2)

— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) 11 August 2016

There seems to be some misunderstanding as we have followed all protocols as advised by the organizers. ( 2/2 )

— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) 11 August 2016

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Goel has downplayed the incident and stressed that all rules were followed. “To my knowledge, we have been following all rules regulations. We are committed to the spirit of Olympics back our Indian players. There seems to be some misunderstanding as we have followed all protocols as advised by the organizers,” he tweeted.