In a single-line order on Wednesday, the ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against the United World Wrestling (UWW) and International Olympic Committee (IOC), ending her hopes of securing an Olympic silver medal.
The verdict, signed by Sole Arbitrator Annabelle Bennett, stated: “The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 is dismissed.” A detailed order is expected within the next few days.
Phogat, who is currently in Paris, has not commented yet. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed shock and disappointment, stating that the IOA is exploring further legal options.
In a statement, the IOA said, “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 that prioritise athletes’ well-being.”
The Indian wrestler had challenged the decision to strip her of the medal after she failed to make weight for her 50 kg final against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt last Wednesday. Phogat was found 100g overweight on the morning of the final and was subsequently disqualified. In the end, Hildebrandt took home the gold medal.
Nenad Lalovic, president of the UWW, defends the organisation’s stance, stating that ‘rules are rules’ and that they were put in place to protect wrestlers from drastically losing weight on the day of their bouts.
The hearing in the case took place last Friday, and the panel extended the deadline for a decision three times. According to the CAS rules, the ad hoc ‘panel shall give a decision within 24 hours of the lodging of the application. In exceptional cases, the President of the ad hoc Division may extend this time limit if circumstances require.
However, after two postponements last Saturday, the outcome was expected to be announced on Tuesday, only to be pushed back to Friday. On Wednesday evening, it was ultimately shared with Phogat.
The IOA emphasised the significant implications of the decision for Phogat and the sporting community, questioning the fairness of the rules and their interpretation. Despite the arguments presented by IOA representatives Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, CAS remained unconvinced.
The IOA continues to support Phogat and is exploring further legal options to ensure her case is heard. The situation has sparked a nationwide outcry, with several public figures, including former Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, expressing their support for Phogat. Bindra called it the “most brutal day in India’s Olympic history.”
