The sporting world held its breath as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was set to decide on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics women’s 50kg freestyle gold medal match. Vinesh had dominated the competition, even defeating Japan’s renowned wrestler Yui Susaki, securing her place in the final. However, a 100gm weight violation during the mandatory morning weigh-in led to her disqualification, shattering her Olympic dreams.
Devastated, Vinesh filed an appeal with the CAS, requesting a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was elevated to the final after Vinesh’s disqualification. The day after her disqualification, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling, citing a lack of strength to continue. This announcement came amidst a wave of support from prominent athletes worldwide, including renowned Japanese Olympic champion Rei Higuchi, who faced a similar situation in Tokyo.
The appeal sparked a debate about the balance between adhering to regulations and recognizing exceptional circumstances. While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, acknowledged the human aspect of Vinesh’s predicament, he raised concerns about the potential precedent of granting exceptions. On the other hand, Nenad Lalovic, the head of United World Wrestling (UWW), maintained that strict adherence to rules was crucial, emphasizing the public nature of the weigh-in.
Despite the opposing viewpoints, Vinesh’s appeal gained significant traction, with numerous sports personalities rallying behind her. Legendary athletes like Sachin Tendulkar, Abhinav Bindra, Neeraj Chopra, and PR Sreejesh voiced their support, highlighting Vinesh’s contributions to Indian sports.
The CAS’s decision on Vinesh’s appeal was eagerly anticipated, as it could have significant implications for future sporting events. Vinesh’s legal team, composed of French lawyers Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson, alongside senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, presented a compelling case. A positive ruling would award Vinesh a joint silver medal, acknowledging her exceptional performance and the merit of her appeal. The world watched as the CAS verdict unfolded, ready to witness the impact it would have on the future of sports and the principle of fair play.
