Our Bureau
Paris
In a major setback for Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed her petition for a joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50 kg wrestling final just before the bout after being found 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in.
The CAS ad-hoc division’s sole arbitrator Annabelle Bennett signed the order, which stated: “The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 Aug 2024 is dismissed.” Phogat had appealed for a joint silver medal after reaching the final, but the CAS has now rejected her plea.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed “shock and disappointment” at the decision and said the IOA will stand by Vinesh and explore further legal options. The IOA believes the rules around weight infractions need deeper examination, especially the “stringent and arguably inhumane regulations” that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes face.
Vinesh Phogat expressed her heartbreak following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissal of her appeal for a joint silver medal from the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh shared a poignant Instagram post featuring an emotional image of herself on the wrestling mat, along with the music to the emotional soundtrack ‘Rabba Ve’ by B Praak, reflecting her shattered spirit. The Indian Olympic Association voiced its disappointment, highlighting the need for a review of weight regulations that impose undue pressure on athletes.
Vinesh stormed into the 50kg final with three wins but was denied the chance to compete for gold against Sarah Hildebrandt of the USA due to the weight violation. The silver was awarded to Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh in the semifinal but was allowed to play the final after her disqualification.
