New Delhi: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the women’s 50kg final of the Olympic Games in Paris has been dismissed by the Ad-Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Dr PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has expressed her profound shock and disbelief at the Sole Arbitrator of CAS’s decision to reject Phogat’s complaint against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United World Wrestling (UWW).
The operative part of the August 14 decision, which dismisses Vinesh’s application to be awarded a shared silver medal in the women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, carries profound implications for her in particular and the sporting community at large.
The 100-gram marginal difference, a seemingly minor technicality, had a significant effect on Vinesh’s career and posed important queries regarding ambiguous regulations and how they should be interpreted.
“The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator,” said Usha in her statement.
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“The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards prioritising athletes’ well-being,” the IOA statement said.
“In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh’s case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times,” it said.
“We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders, athletes, and the public,” said the IOA.
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–IANS
