Vinesh Phogat disqualification: Verdict expected before Olympics end as wrestler demands shared silver medal

India’s Viensh Phogat’s demand for a shared silver medal hangs in the balance as a verdict is expected before Sunday’s (Aug 11) closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh, on Wednesday, was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle category gold medal match after she was found overweight during the official weigh-in. The wrestler on Thursday filed a petition in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which is expected to respond before Sunday’s closing ceremony.

CAS responds to Vinesh's petition

"An application was filed at the CAS Ad hoc Division at 16:45 CEST on 7 August 2024 by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (the Applicant) in escalation to the decision taken by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of one of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women's Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2004 that was to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day (the Challenged Decision)," read a statement from the CAS.

"The Applicant initially sought a decision from the CAS Ad hoc Division annulling the Challenged Decision and endearing mother weigh-in before the final match as well as a declaration that she be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final. However, she did not request urgent measures. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the matter to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing and the applicant has confirmed that she challenged the decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal."

"The matter has been referred to the Hon. De Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbiranot, who will hold a hearing with the parties today. The Sole Arbitrator's decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games."

On Thursday, Vinesh announced that she is retiring from the sport with the Paris Olympics being her last official tournament.

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In an extremely sad post, Vinesh apologised to her mother, saying "Mother, wrestling won and I lost to it, please forgive me. Your dreams, my strength, everything is shattered, I don't have any more strength left in me."

Vinesh was disqualified after being found 100 grams overweight at the official weigh-in on the morning of the final on Wednesday (Aug 7).

Indian Olympic contingent's chief physician Dinshaw Pardiwala informed earlier this evening that the support staff did all they could to bring the weight down but unfortunately failed. She was later hospitalised at a local polyclinic as a precaution.

Phogat was discharged from the hospital after recuperating from dehydration for trying to lose weight ahead of the final.