Vinesh Phogat case verdict: Despite performing well in Paris Olympics 2024 and making it to the finals by winning 3 matches in a single day, Vinesh Phogat has to fight a long battle for the medal. At one time Vinesh had confirmed her silver medal, but due to 100 grams more weight, she could not enter the gold medal match and was disqualified and out.
Vinesh had entered the 50 kg freestyle wrestling event at the Paris Olympics. After being disqualified just before the final, Vinesh filed a case in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). Her first demand was that she be allowed to play the gold medal match.
But citing the rules, her demand was immediately rejected. After this, Vinesh appealed and said that she should be given the silver medal in this event. After hearing in this case, the decision was to come on Tuesday (August 13) night, but it was postponed again.
In Vinesh’s case, CAS will now announce its decision on August 16 at 9.30 pm. Vinesh played her first match on August 6. For her, these 8 days (till August 13) have been a mix of happiness and sadness. Let’s find out what happened in these 8 days…
6 August 2024
Vinesh Phogat played three matches in the 50 kg weight category on Tuesday, August 6. She defeated Tokyo Olympic champion Yui Susaki 3-2 in the pre-quarterfinals. Then Vinesh defeated Ukrainian female wrestler Oxana Livach 7-5 in the quarterfinals and Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman 5-0 in the semifinals to make it to the finals. The final was to be held on August 7.
7 August 2024
Indian fans were hoping that Vinesh Phogat would create history by winning the final match, because India has not been able to win any Olympic gold in wrestling so far. But the news that came on Wednesday, August 7, at around 12 noon, surprised the fans. Vinesh was disqualified from the Paris Olympics. In fact, when Vinesh’s weight was measured before the final on Wednesday morning, her weight was found to be 100 grams more than what is required to play in the 50 kg category.
According to reports, after the semi-finals, Vinesh’s weight had increased to 52.70 kg. After this, her medical team tried to reduce Vinesh’s weight overnight. Vinesh did skipping and cycling all night. She even cut her nails and hair. Vinesh’s weight did reduce, but despite all the efforts, her weight remained stuck at 50.10 kg.
After this, first the news of Vinesh’s disqualification and then her fainting came to light. Vinesh was admitted to the polyclinic of the Olympic village due to dehydration. However, Vinesh was discharged after a few hours.
After this, an application was given by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 at 8:15 pm Indian time. Vinesh appealed to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports) and said that she should be given a silver medal in this event. CAS was established here to resolve any dispute arising during the 10-day period before the Olympic Games or the opening ceremony.
8 August 2024
On 8 August, Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement. She shared this information by posting it on social media. Vinesh Phogat said that mother, wrestling won over me. I lost, sorry, your dream, my courage, everything is broken. I don’t have more strength now. Goodbye wrestling 2001-2024. She apologized and said that she will always be indebted to all of you.
9 August 2024
On August 9, the ad hoc division of CAS registered the application in the case of Vinesh Phogat. An Australian judge was appointed to arbitrate Vinesh’s case. A press release was issued by CAS in this case and a big update related to it was given. Vinesh’s case was registered as CAS OG 24/17 Vinesh Phogat vs United World Wrestling (UWW) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In Vinesh’s case, 4 CAS lawyers represented her, including Joel Monluis, Estelle Ivanova, Habin Estelle Kim and Charles Amson, who represented Vinesh Phogat in the CAS hearing. Later, former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve also appeared online in CAS on behalf of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the Vinesh Phogat disqualification case.
Then CAS completed the hearing of the entire case on 9 August. However, the ad hoc division of CAS extended the deadline to give the decision till 9.30 pm Indian time on 10 August. That is, the wait for the decision on whether Vinesh will get the medal or not has increased a bit.
10 August 2024
On August 10, another update came in the matter of Vinesh getting the medal. Whether Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will get silver or not? The date for giving the decision on this was again extended and it was postponed to August 13. Australian judge Dr. Annabelle Bennett was appointed to arbitrate this matter. Usually the ad-hoc panel is given 24 hours to give the decision, but it was extended for a longer time.
12 August
Just a day before the CAS decision, Vinesh Phogat left the Olympic Village in Paris. She took her bags and went to the hotel. During this time, many photos and videos of Vinesh also surfaced. Vinesh was also hopeful of getting justice. Her plan was to return to India after the decision.
13 August
Finally the day has come, which Vinesh, her family, friends and Indian fans were waiting for. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) was to give its decision in Vinesh’s case at 9.30 pm, but once again this wait increased for Vinesh and her family. That is, the same thing happened with them again, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. The court has now postponed the decision to 16 August. CAS will now give this decision on 16 August at 9.30 pm. It remains to be seen whether Vinesh gets a medal or disappointment.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)