Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) to be allowed to compete for gold and has requested a joint silver medal if successful. The interim ruling by CAS is expected on Today(on 8th August), following her disqualification from the Paris 2024 wrestling final for missing the weight requirement by 100 grams.
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PARIS: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) following her disqualification from the wrestling final at the Paris Olympics 2024. This significant move from the prominent athlete comes in the wake of being barred from competing in the finals of the women’s 50kg category due to missing the weight requirement by a mere 100 grams.
Vinesh Phogat, who triumphed in the semi-final bout with an impressive 5-0 margin, made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for an Olympic final. Her unexpected disqualification has sparked a wave of reactions across the country, with many advocating for justice on her behalf.
Vinesh has requested to be awarded the silver medal due to the circumstances of her disqualification. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been given until today(on 8 August) morning to render its final decision. Should the CAS rule in her favor, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be compelled to award a joint silver medal to her.
Understanding the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is a distinguished independent institution founded in 1984, dedicated to resolving sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS also has branches in New York City and Sydney, and establishes temporary courts in Olympic host cities to address any immediate issues that arise during the games.
CAS prides itself on its independence from any sports organization, operating under the administrative and financial oversight of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). It adjudicates legal disputes in the sports domain, issuing arbitral awards that carry the same weight and enforceability as judgments passed by ordinary courts. Furthermore, CAS offers mediation services to facilitate amicable dispute resolutions.
Arbitration panels typically comprise three arbitrators, with each party selecting one arbitrator and the third being appointed by the President of the relevant division. In certain cases, a sole arbitrator may be chosen to handle the matter.
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CAS holds the ultimate authority in many sports disputes, with the possibility of appealing to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland under specific conditions. The role of CAS is pivotal in maintaining fairness and resolving disputes within the global sports community, ensuring a specialized and efficient forum for all sports-related conflicts.
The Reason Behind Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification
Vinesh Phogat faced disqualification from the final of the Paris Olympics 50kg wrestling category due to a minor weight discrepancy. On the morning of her scheduled gold medal bout, Vinesh weighed in at 50.1kg, just 100 grams above the eligibility limit. This disqualification came as a crushing blow to the hopes of many Indians, who were eagerly anticipating their first gold medal in Paris.
The incident has brought to light the intense and often grueling weight-cutting techniques employed in combat sports. Reports indicate that on the eve of her gold medal match, Vinesh undertook rigorous training to shed the 2.7kg she had gained after her semi-final victory. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, India’s Chief Medical Officer, detailed the exhaustive efforts made by Vinesh, which included sessions in the sauna amidst the Paris heat. When these measures proved insufficient, her coaches resorted to trimming her hair and shortening her vest in a desperate attempt to meet the weight criteria. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, they could not reduce her weight to the required 50kg, leading to her disqualification.
The President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha, has expressed her shock and disappointment over the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat. Despite Phogat being in good physical and medical condition, Usha conveyed her dissatisfaction with the situation and highlighted the ongoing support Phogat is receiving.
“After hearing the news that Vinesh Phogat is disqualified, I am shocked and disappointed. I came to meet her, and while she is physically and medically fine, she is understandably upset. Our support staff is actively working with her to help manage her weight,”
-PT Usha stated.
