The Court of Arbitration Sports (CAS) rejected the appeal demanding a joint silver medal by wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Monday, August 19, 2024. The court accepted that the consequences of failing on the second day were draconian for an athlete. However, it added that it is an athlete’s responsibility to maintain the weight and no relief can be provided.
In the order, the Sole Arbitrator concluded that the wrestler entered the 50 kg wrestling category on her own will and knew the rule to maintain the weight below 50 kg.
Vinesh appealed against her disqualification on the second day of the finals from the Paris Olympics due to being overweight in the women’s 50kg category on the second day. On August 8, Vinesh was found 100gm overweight before the match to compete for the Gold Medal.
“Article 7 of the Rules provides, relevantly, that each contestant is deemed to be taking part of her own free will and is responsible for herself and is entitled to compete in only one weight category, the one corresponding to her weight at the time of the official weigh-in,” the detailed CAS order, which was published on Monday, stated.
The decision of the CAS came on August 14 but was given after three postponements. In the decision, it was mentioned that her evidence of not having sufficient time for a weight loss program does not interfere with her bodily rights.
Vinesh demanded a joint silver medal with Yusneylis Guzman Lopez from Cuba, who lost the semifinals to Vinesh Phogat but was promoted to the summit clash following her disqualification.
United World Wrestling (UWW) oversees the wrestling matches for the Olympics and world championships. According to the rules UWW rules the wrestler has to maintain his weight on both days of the wrestling match. However, UWW allows a relief of 2kg in many events like ranking series but it is not applicable for the Olympics.
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat created a flutter among the wrestling community. She was the first Indian woman wrestler who reach the Olympic final. She defeated the legendary Yui Susaki of Japan, known for her undefeated ness before she fought with Vinesh.
(With inputs from PTI)