Vinesh Phogat, CAS full verdict: For Indian star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Paris Olympics 2024 has been like ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’. She made a grand entry and won 3 consecutive matches in a single day (August 6) and entered the final of 50 kg freestyle wrestling and secured a silver medal.
Till now, there was a very happy atmosphere for Vinesh and the fans. The gold medal match was to be held on the night of 7 August, but the same morning, a heartbreaking news came for Vinesh and the fans. Vinesh was disqualified due to 100 grams more weight.
After this, Vinesh appealed to CAS. Her demand was that she should be jointly awarded the silver medal in this event. But the decision in this case came on 14 August and CAS rejected Vinesh’s appeal. Then CAS had only pronounced the decision, did not issue any statement or report of the decision.
But now CAS has released a detailed report of the decision on Monday (August 19), which details the long process. This CAS decision report is 24 pages long. It includes the proceedings of CAS. In her appeal, Vinesh gave many arguments, out of which 5 were very strong. Despite that, her appeal was rejected. Let us know about those 5 strong arguments and why they were rejected…
1. Vinesh said in her argument that her weight was correct the first time and she had won the semi-finals and secured the silver medal. However, in the second measurement, her weight was found to be higher. In such a situation, the results of her last 3 matches should not be canceled. For this reason, she is a contender for the silver medal. She is also entitled to all the rankings, points and scores of the event.
CAS’s response- This is logical, but the rules do not allow this to happen. It is clearly stated in the rules that if there is a violation, then there will be expulsion. In such a situation, CAS cannot rewrite the rules of the federation.
2. In the application, Vinesh gave a medical certificate stating that on August 8, she was in the pre-menstrual phase. This affects body weight. It was argued that there is a difference between the body of a man and a woman. In such a situation, this should be taken into account during the weighing on the second day.
The answer received was- No evidence was given of the consequences of the difference in the body of male and female athletes. Vinesh has not challenged the 50 kg weight category. Talking about the effect of the difference in the body is imaginary and there is no evidence in its favor.
3. In her argument, Vinesh strongly claimed that there was a problem with the weighing machine. She said that even when the machine was empty, it was still showing a weight of 50 grams. This was half of Vinesh’s extra weight (100 grams).
CAS’s response – Nevertheless, it remains a fact that the weight of the petitioner (Vinesh Phogat) was more than the limit for the 50 kg weight category.
4. Star wrestler Vinesh also cited a rule in her argument. She said that Article-8 of United World Wrestling (UWW) gives athletes a weight exemption of up to 2 kg in international tournaments. This rule is also applicable in World Cup, UWW Ranking Series. Olympics is also an international tournament, so under Article-8, a weight exemption of 2 kg should be given in it too.
Answer received- CAS clearly stated in its decision report that Olympic Games are not included in international tournaments under Article 8. In such a situation, they cannot get exemption during the second weight class.
5. Vinesh Phogat made another strong argument. She said that athletes coming from different backgrounds do not get enough training to understand the process. They are also not informed about it well.
Answer- Vinesh’s evidence shows that she was fully aware of the weight rules for the 50 kg weight category. She also tried for this (to keep the weight at 50 kg). But she failed.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)