Despite India wrapping up their Paris Olympics campaign on Saturday with six medals—one silver and five bronze—the nation remains hopeful for a seventh. This medal could equal their best-ever tally from the Tokyo Games as they await the decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified before her gold-medal match in the women’s 50kg freestyle for being 100 grams overweight during the morning weigh-in, has appealed to CAS for a silver medal.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has lodged an appeal against the decision made by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Vinesh Phogat attended the hearing virtually on Friday, which lasted nearly three hours. Senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania represented her case. Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC from Australia is serving as the sole arbitrator for this case.
What did Vinesh Phogat’s team reveal to CAS about the weigh-in fiasco at the Paris Olympics?
Last Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, winning three consecutive bouts, including a victory over world no. 1 and then-defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan. While she was within the permissible weight limit during the initial weigh-in before the preliminary rounds, her weight reportedly increased by nearly three kilograms by Tuesday night. According to the Indian Express, Vinesh’s team argued that the weight gain was due to the long distance between the Champ de Mars Arena (the competition venue) and the Athletes Village, combined with a tight schedule between bouts.
Before the gold-medal bout, Vinesh Phogat stayed up all night, jogging and skipping in an attempt to shed weight. Her support team went to extreme lengths, even cutting her hair and drawing blood to help her reach the required weight. Despite these efforts, the 29-year-old was still found to be 100 grams over the allowed limit during the morning weigh-in.
Vinesh’s team argued that this minor excess in weight, which they described as a result of the “classic and essential recovery process,” would not have provided her with any competitive advantage. They contended that the 100 grams, representing just 0.1 to 0.2 percent of her body weight, could have been caused by natural factors such as bloating due to summer heat, which leads the body to retain more water, or an increase in muscle mass after competing in three bouts in one day. Additionally, food consumption post-competition to maintain her health and energy for the demanding events could also have contributed to the weight gain.
Vinesh’s legal team emphasized the need for proportionality in their appeal, arguing, “The minimal excess weight, which clearly indicates no attempt at fraud or manipulation, does not justify the severe and irreversible consequences of barring her from the finals and stripping her of the silver medal she earned through hard work.”
IOA Backs Vinesh Phogat
Despite facing criticism for the medical team’s oversight during the weigh-in, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has stood firmly by Vinesh in her quest to secure the silver medal. “The IOA considers it our duty to support Vinesh and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to her cause,” stated IOA President PT Usha.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to deliver its final ruling on Vinesh’s appeal on August 13.
