Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has formally appealed her disqualification from the final of the women’s 50kg wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The appeal, filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), comes after Phogat was barred from competing in the gold medal bout due to missing the weight limit by just 100 grams.
Phogat, who won her semi-final match with a commanding 5-0 score, was poised to become the first Indian woman wrestler to contest an Olympic final. However, on the morning of the final, she weighed in at 50.1kg, marginally over the 50kg limit required for the final.
The disqualification has been a source of significant disappointment for Indian sports fans and has cast a spotlight on the challenges athletes face with weight management. Reports indicate that Phogat, in her final preparations, engaged in intense workouts and other methods, including sauna sessions, to cut the excess weight. Efforts by her coaches, such as cutting her hair and adjusting her vest, were ultimately unsuccessful in bringing her weight down to the limit.
The CAS, an independent institution established in 1984 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is responsible for resolving sports-related disputes through arbitration and mediation. The court is expected to deliver its verdict by the morning of August 8, 2024. If CAS rules in Phogat’s favor, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be required to award her a joint silver medal.
The CAS decision will be pivotal, not only for Phogat but also for the broader wrestling community and fans who have followed her journey. The court’s role in such matters is crucial, providing a specialized forum for resolving disputes in the sports world and ensuring that decisions are fair and enforceable.
As the sports community awaits the final ruling, all eyes will be on the CAS for a resolution to what has been an emotional and contentious issue for Indian wrestling.
