Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics has been a significant and emotional event for Indian sports fans. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) released its operative verdict on Wednesday, 14 August, upholding the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to disqualify her from the women's 50kg category, thus dashing India's hopes for a seventh medal at the Paris Olympics.
The CAS is known for its strict adherence to the rules and regulations of various sports federations, and in this case, it was no different. Vinesh's appeal for a shared silver medal was denied, marking the end of her Olympic journey for this edition. The disqualification was based on Vinesh weighing in at 50.100 kg, just 100 grams over the weight limit, ahead of her gold medal match. This minor infraction, though seemingly insignificant, led to her removal from the final, where she had been slated to compete after a series of impressive victories, including a notable upset over Japan's Yui Susaki, who had an 82-0 international record before facing Vinesh.
The CAS proceedings were extensive, with the Sole Arbitrator, Dr. Annabelle Bennett, extending the deadline for the verdict multiple times to allow both sides to present additional evidence. Vinesh's legal team, including senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, argued that the minor weight gain was due to the body's natural recovery process and not a deliberate attempt to gain an unfair advantage. They emphasized that Vinesh had been within the prescribed weight limit on the first day of competition and that the slight increase in weight was a result of natural bodily functions and recovery.
Despite these arguments, the CAS sided with the IOC, reinforcing the strict rules regarding weigh-ins and the importance of adhering to them throughout the competition. The disqualification allowed Cuba’s Guzman Uzneylys, who had lost to Vinesh in the semi-final, to compete in the gold medal match against the USA’s Sarah Ann Hilderbrant.
Vinesh’s appeal initially sought to nullify the IOC’s disqualification and request a new weigh-in to allow her to compete in the final. However, this request was denied, and the final proceeded without her participation. In the aftermath, there has been widespread debate about the fairness of the two-day weigh-in system used at the Olympics. Wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs called for a reevaluation of these rules, suggesting that a 1kg weight allowance on the second day could prevent such situations in the future. He also advocated for both semi-finalists to be awarded Olympic medals, rather than relying on the current repechage format, which offers a second chance to wrestlers who lose to eventual finalists.
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat has sparked discussions not only about the rules and regulations of the sport but also about the responsibilities of athletes and their support teams in managing weight and fitness during competitions. The incident has also highlighted the emotional and physical toll such high-stakes competitions can take on athletes, especially when their dreams are dashed by such narrow margins.
As India reflects on this disappointing outcome, the focus will likely turn to the future, with calls for more robust support systems for athletes and perhaps a push for changes in international sports regulations to prevent similar situations from occurring again.
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