New Delhi: In a major development, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has agreed to review Vinesh Phogat’s appeal asking for a shared silver medal. The Indian wrestler on Wednesday appealed against her disqualification from the 50kg category Olympic finals in the CAS, demanding that she be awarded a joint silver medal. A verdict is expected in the next couple of days.
Competing at her third Olympics, Phogat defeated three big names on a single day including the 2020 Tokyo Games champion Yui Susaki to enter the final and assure herself and India a medal on Tuesday. However, to everyone’s surprise, she was disqualified on Wednesday for being found overweight by 100gm ahead of her women’s 50kg final here.
An Ad hoc Division of the CAS has been set up here for resolution by arbitration of any disputes arising during the Olympic Games or during a period of 10 days preceding the Opening Ceremony. Based on a report by Sports Tak, Phogat could still win a silver medal.
Based on the report, Phogat has appealed for two things. Firstly, the weigh-in to be done once more because there was still 2-3 hours left before the bout at the time of appeal. To this, the CAS replied back on the e-mail that it can’t be done as a decision has already been taken that Cuba and USA will be playing in the final.
The Indian wrestler then wrote back to CAS, appealing for a silver medal which she has achieved by winning three bouts the previous day as she was within the required weight. If the CAS gives the verdict in favour of Phogat, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will have no choice but to award Phogat a joint-silver medal alongside Cuban Lopez Guzman. Incidentally, Phogat had defeated Guzman to enter the final.
