The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has dismissed Vinesh Phogat's appeal to give her a joint silver medal for the 50kg women's wrestling event in the Paris Olympics. The Indian wrestler was disqualified from the Final of the event for being 100gm overweighed the sanctioned limit after which she filed a petition in CAS on 7 August and after a week, it has been rejected by the judiciary body. CAS extended the deadline for its decision earlier as well and said it would announce its decision on August 13, 2024. However, later they said it would be done on August 16. Surprisingly, the decision came just a day after they deferred it again.
Next step from IOA
President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) PT Usha expressed her shock and disappointment at the Sole Arbitrator of CAS rejecting Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The association has said that they will be exploring further legal options in the matter and keep on trying to ensure that Vinesh Phogat's case is heard.
"The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr. PT Usha has expressed her shock and disappointment at the decision of the Sole Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to dismiss wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application against the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The operative part of the August 14 decision, which dismisses Vinesh’s application to be awarded a shared silver medal women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, has significant implications for her in particular and the sporting community at large. The marginal discrepancy of a 100 grams and the resultant consequences has profound impact, not only in terms of Vinesh’s career but also raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation," stated an official statement from IAO.
"The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator. The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes' well-being. In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh's case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times. We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders, athletes, and the public.," the statement further added.
However, It was expected from the beginning that Vinesh Phogat might not get the medal despite her appeal to CAS as the history itself suggests CAS has stuck with the rules whenever there has been such an incident. However, everyone was still hopeful and wishing that the Court of Arbitration for Sports would say their decision in the favour of the Indian wrestler.
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