Harish Salve, one of India's most respected legal minds, has countered the allegations made by wrestler Vinesh Phogat regarding the handling of her case by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) lawyers during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Phogat, who had a devastating end to her Olympic campaign after being disqualified from the women’s freestyle 50kg wrestling final due to being 100g over the weight limit, recently voiced her disappointment over what she perceived as lenient representation in her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Phogat was eliminated from the competition, and her disqualification placed her at the bottom of the standings.
In the aftermath of her disqualification, Phogat sought legal recourse, filing an appeal with CAS in hopes of being awarded a joint silver medal. Harish Salve represented her on behalf of the IOA in the case, but despite a week of hearings, the decision did not come in Phogat’s favor. Disillusioned, she recently criticized the IOA, its president PT Usha, and the legal team, accusing them of not putting up a robust enough fight for her case. Phogat claimed that the leniency displayed by the IOA lawyers during the proceedings contributed to her losing the opportunity to salvage a medal from the Olympics.
Salve, responding to her remarks, came forward to clarify the facts and address the accusations. In his statement, he pointed out several issues that hampered the legal fight. He highlighted a serious lack of coordination between Phogat’s personal legal advisors and the IOA’s legal team, which delayed critical preparations. According to Salve, Phogat’s lawyers refused to share vital information with the IOA team until it was too late in the process, causing significant setbacks.
Salve stressed that despite these hurdles, they fought the case as hard as they could under the circumstances. He also revealed that after the unfavorable ruling from CAS, he had offered Phogat the option to take the case to the Swiss Federal Court, which has jurisdiction over international arbitration appeals. However, Salve noted that Phogat’s legal team conveyed that she did not wish to pursue the matter further, indicating her decision to step back from the legal battle.
This revelation from Salve contradicts Phogat's narrative that the IOA’s legal team was not committed enough to her case. Salve emphasized that they were prepared to go the extra mile and challenge the CAS ruling but ultimately respected Phogat’s decision not to continue the fight.
The fallout from the Paris Olympics marked a dramatic turn in Vinesh Phogat's career. Just a day after her disqualification, she announced her retirement from wrestling, ending a remarkable journey that saw her as one of India's top athletes on the international stage. Her Olympic dreams, however, ended in heartbreak, and she transitioned into politics shortly after, joining the Indian National Congress. Her move into politics has garnered significant attention, as Phogat now embarks on a new chapter in her life, leaving behind her wrestling career, albeit under a cloud of controversy.
Phogat’s accusations against the IOA and her statements regarding the handling of her case have sparked debate about the support provided to athletes in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics. Her disappointment in not receiving a medal after filing an appeal speaks to the emotional and psychological toll that her disqualification had on her. For Phogat, the Paris Olympics was supposed to be the pinnacle of her career, and the disqualification was a devastating blow not only to her Olympic aspirations but also to her legacy as one of India’s most decorated female wrestlers.
Salve’s response, however, paints a picture of a legal team working within the constraints posed by delayed coordination and incomplete information. His offer to take the case to the Swiss Federal Court indicates that he and the IOA were committed to exploring every legal avenue available to Phogat, though the decision not to proceed ultimately rested with her.Â
Phogat's transition into politics, particularly her entry into the Indian National Congress, signals a new beginning after a successful yet tumultuous sports career. Her foray into public life is being closely watched, especially as she steps into a different arena with different challenges. Phogat’s journey from wrestling mats to political platforms is a reflection of her determination to continue serving the country, albeit in a new capacity. Whether her political career will mirror the same level of success she achieved in sports remains to be seen, but her passion and drive remain undiminished. The controversy surrounding her disqualification and subsequent legal proceedings will likely continue to shape public perceptions of her legacy in Indian sports.
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