CAS full verdict on Vinesh Phogat: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has released a detailed 24-page verdict after dismissing Vinesh Phogat's plea for a joint silver medal at the Women's 50 kg freestyle wrestling event of Paris Olympics 2024. Notably, the star Indian grappler had secured a place in the gold medal bout but was barred from competing in it after being found overweight by 100 grams on the morning of the match.
Vinesh's disqualification meant she was even denied the silver medal. She had later filed an official complaint at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which had dismissed its plea. And now the Sports Court has released an elaborate explanation of its decision.
Athlete Should Ensure They Remain Below Weight Limit: CAS
A part of the ruling from the CAS mentioned that there was no tolerance for being overweight as the category in which the wrestler competes happens to be the upper limit itself.
"The problem for the Athlete is that the Rules are clear as to the weight limit and are the same for all participants. There is no tolerance provided for -– it is an upper limit. It does not even allow for the weight of the singlet. It is clearly up to an athlete to ensure that they remain below that limit," the Court of Arbitration of Sport said in its detailed report which can be accessed here.
ALSO READ | Bajrang Punia Stands On Poster With Indian Flag While Receiving Vinesh Phogat At Delhi Airport; Criticised
"There is no dispute that the Applicant was above the weight limit. She gave the above evidence clearly and directly at the hearing. Her case is that the amount of excess was 100g and that a tolerance should apply as this is a small excess and explicable for reasons such as drinking water and water retention, in particular during the pre-menstrual phase," a part of the detailed explanation read.
Despite the Paris Olympics heartbreak, Vinesh arrived in India to a grand welcome not only at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport but also in her native village in Balali.