The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has set a new date of August 16, 2024, to deliver its ruling on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal she was disqualified from the Women’s 50kg freestyle final in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Vinesh was out of the competition even when she had reached the finals of the tournament due to her missing the weigh-in for the final match by 100 grams. Her appeal notes that such a minimal weight excess should not be a reason for her disqualification as there could be reasons like water retention, gains from competing thrice in one day, or food for health. The CAS probably does not want to make a hasty decision that might have implications for the subsequent Olympic wrestling events.
Key arguments made by Vinesh Phogat’s counsel in front of arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett include:
The 100-gram difference amounts to only 0.1-0.2 percent of Vinesh’s body weight, which cannot be considered cheating but natural biological fluctuation. People tend to consume more water in summer in order to survive, and this results in the swelling of the body. Vinesh had also competed three times in one day before the failed weigh-in, which may have led to muscle gain. Food consumed for nutrition after the competition also affects weight.
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Hence, there is a disproportion between the minimal level of excess weight and the disastrous outcome of failing to make the finals or get a silver medal despite the effort put into earning boasts. The excess weight speaks against the claim of fraud or an attempt at manipulation. It would also be quite unreasonable to disqualify, and this does not follow the principles of fairness and justice.
The semifinal match sees Vinesh winning against Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 and making it to the gold medal match. She was expected to wrestle with American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the championship before being disqualified from further event competitions based on the unsuccessful weigh-in.
The following day, another Indian wrestler, Vinesh Phogat, also announced her decision to quit wrestling due to the ordeal. Now, all of India looks forward to the CAS decision on August 16 with the belief that the arbitrator will have the sense to reverse the disqualification and give Vinesh the Olympic silver medal as compensation. It is, therefore, clear that although the delay indicates that Vinesh has a good case, the CAS also has to consider other ramifications that their decision in the sport sets as a precedent.
We can only hope for a positive outcome that acknowledges this courageous athlete’s efforts and perseverance, which brought him to this level, which was briefly set back by individual differences from intentional errors. Justice would provide Vinesh her silver lining from the 2024 Paris Games after darkness pierced her so close to the climax that she soared.