
The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has dismissed wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal against disqualification from women's 50kgfreestyle gold medal bout atParis Olympics 2024. The decision was announced on Wednesday (Aug 14).
"The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 is dismissed," read the CAS statement with the decision from sole arbitratorAnnabelle Bennett.
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Phogat was disqualified from her 50kg freestyle gold medal bout on the morning of the contest, August 7for being overweight by 100 grams.
She then filed an appeal on August 8, contesting the disqualification and demanded a joint-silver. The CAS, which was first expected to deliver a decision on August 9, first deferred it to August 13 before announcing the decision on Wednesday.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also expressed shock and disbelief over the decision announced by CAS in a statement.
"The IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination. Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator," read the IOA statement.
"In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms. Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh's case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times," it further read.
Vinesh is expected to arrive in the country on August 17, according to a social media post shared by fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia.Punia shared a schedule for Phogat's arrival and subsequent programme as well. Here below is the post:
Indian Olympic contingent's chief physician Dinshaw Pardiwala informed on August 7 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 on the same day.