The biggest Mahakumbh of sports, the Olympic Games were held in Paris this time. The Paris Olympics began on 26 July and ended on 11 August. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat had performed brilliantly in Paris Olympics 2024. Vinesh had reached the finals of 50 kg wrestling event. However, before the final, he was found to be 100 grams overweight, due to which he was disqualified.
Can Vinesh challenge this decision?
Vinesh Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification and demanded that she be awarded the combined silver medal. However, CAS rejected the appeal of star wrestler Vinesh Phogat. This means that now Vinesh will not get the silver medal. Its hearing had already taken place, but the date of giving the verdict was continuously getting postponed. But now the decision in this matter came on Wednesday (14 August). CAS has rejected Vinesh’s appeal.
Despite the decision of CAS, this whole matter is not going to end yet. Vinesh Phogat has the option to challenge this decision of the court. According to the CAS website, any CAS decision can be challenged, but on ‘very limited grounds’. The CAS website states, ‘Judicial assistance is granted in the Swiss Federal Tribunal only on very limited grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction, violation of rules (e.g. violation of the right to a fair trial).’
IOA is exploring legal options
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed disappointment over CAS’s decision rejecting wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application against United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee. Usha said that the IOA organization will seek legal help regarding this matter. Along with this, PT Usha also announced that IOA stands with Vinesh and they are exploring legal options.
Senior lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, representing IOA, has said in this matter that as of now CAS has given only one line decision. Only after seeing the full report, we will be able to say something in detail about it and decide what to do next. The meaning of this decision is that India will now have only 6 medals in the Paris Olympics. This includes one silver and 5 bronze medals.
What is the work of CAS?
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent body created for sports around the world. Its job is to settle all legal disputes related to sports. The international body established in 1984 works to settle sports-related disputes through arbitration. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its courts are located in New York City, Sydney and Lausanne. Temporary courts are also set up in current Olympic host cities.