2024-08-17 12:38:50
New Delhi: There is bad news for Vinesh Phogat and the whole of India. Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s petition against being disqualified from the Paris Olympics has been rejected. This means that India’s last hope for a silver medal has also been shattered. Earlier, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) was going to give its decision on Vinesh’s appeal on August 13, then it was postponed till August 16. Now the news is coming that Vinesh’s petition has been rejected. It is important to mention here that last week, after winning her three consecutive bouts, Vinesh Phogat was eliminated from the title match against America’s Sarah Hildebrandt just before the final of the women’s 50 kg freestyle event because her weight was found to be 100 grams more than the prescribed limit during weighing in the morning.
How was the petition suddenly cancelled before the verdict?
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr. PT Usha has expressed surprise and disappointment over the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to reject Vinesh Phogat’s application. In a statement, PT Usha said, ‘I am shocked and disappointed by the decision of the sole arbitrator of the Sports Arbitration on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee. The effective part of the August 14 decision rejecting Vinesh’s application for a shared silver medal in the women’s 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games has significant implications for her in particular and for the sports community at large.’ This decision means that India will have only six medals at the Paris Olympics, including one silver and five bronze.
Who was in Vinesh’s legal team?
Vinesh Phogat had appealed to be given a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez. Lopez lost to Vinesh in the semi-finals, but later got a place in the final after the Indian wrestler was disqualified. The legal battle involved French lawyers Joel Monluis, Estelle Ivanova, Habin Estelle Kim and Charles Amson, who helped her and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) while filing the application. Their services have been provided by the Paris Bar and they were handling the case free of cost. Apart from this, senior lawyers Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania were engaged to assist them in the case.
Vinesh has the support of the entire sports world
The list of sports personalities supporting Vinesh Phogat also includes Olympic champion Rei Higuchi of Japan, who was similarly disqualified in Tokyo three years ago but won the gold medal in Paris. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also believes that Vinesh should have got at least a silver medal. Champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, two-time Olympic medalist superstar javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and renowned hockey player PR Sreejesh also supported Vinesh.