On wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against disqualification from the final at the Paris Olympics, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) said that players must ensure that they remain within their weight limit and no exception can be provided in such a case under any circumstances. The ad hoc panel of CAS had on August 14 rejected her appeal against disqualification from the final due to 100 grams overweight, a decision which drew a sharp reaction from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). CAS published a detailed decision on Monday, explaining why Vinesh’s appeal was rejected.
‘Rules are same for all participants’
According to it, “The problem for the player is that the rules regarding the weight limit are clear and the same for all participants. No exemption has been provided for this (upper limit). It is clearly the responsibility of the player to stay below that limit.” He said, “There is no dispute that the applicant’s weight was more than the limit. Her case is that her weight was only 100 grams more and it should be exempted because this happens after drinking water and especially during the premenstrual phase.” Vinesh was disqualified on the morning of the women’s 50 kg freestyle final. The decision on her appeal was pronounced after three adjournments.
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Vinesh had demanded the silver medal
In her appeal, Vinesh had demanded that she be given a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semi-finals. The Cuban wrestler got a chance to play in the final after the 29-year-old Indian player was disqualified. American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt won the gold medal in this event. Vinesh had announced her retirement from the sport after being disqualified. However, she hinted at returning from retirement last Friday. She said, I don’t know what will happen in the future?
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‘Maybe this was my destiny’
Vinesh wrote in a social media post, “All I want to say is that we did not give up, our efforts did not stop, but the clock stopped and the time was not right. Maybe this was my destiny.” She further wrote, “Maybe under different circumstances, I can see myself playing till 2032, because the struggle and wrestling will always be in me. I cannot predict what the future has in store for me but I am looking forward to this journey. I am sure that I will always fight for what I believe in and for the right thing.”