Vinesh Phogat’s bid for Olympic silver denied: CAS rules against Indian wrestler

In a significant disappointment for Indian sports, Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Phogat was disqualified from the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling final due to exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams, which led to her being barred from competing in the gold medal match against Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States.

Phogat’s disqualification came after a grueling day of competition on August 6, where she defeated several top-seeded wrestlers, including Yui Susaki of Japan and Oksana Livach of Ukraine. However, the next morning, during the mandatory weigh-in, Phogat was found to be 100 grams over the 50kg limit. Despite her best efforts, which included cutting her hair and undergoing extreme dehydration, she could not meet the weight requirement.

The rule that disqualified Phogat is enforced to maintain fairness in competition, ensuring that athletes compete within their designated weight class. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and United World Wrestling upheld this rule, leading to her disqualification. In her appeal, Phogat’s legal team argued that the minor weight gain was due to her body’s natural recovery process, including rehydration, but the CAS upheld the disqualification.

In a major disappointment, Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 was dismissed by CAS. Her disqualification, alongside India’s six-medal finish, has sparked political controversy.

The aftermath of Phogat’s disqualification has sparked political controversy in India. Opposition parties criticized the government for failing to support athletes like Phogat, particularly amid ongoing protests by wrestlers regarding governance issues within the sport. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) supported Phogat’s appeal, but the CAS ruling brought the matter to a close.

Vinesh Phogat, who had been one of India’s most successful wrestlers, announced her retirement from the sport shortly after the ruling. In an emotional statement on social media, she wrote, “Wrestling won the match against me; I lost… my courage is all broken.”

The political ramifications of Phogat’s disqualification are expected to persist, with opposition parties using the incident to question the government’s commitment to athletes. The wrestling community, both in India and internationally, continues to debate the fairness of the ruling and its impact on athletes.

Phogat’s case underscores the intense pressure that Olympic athletes face and the strict regulations they must navigate. As Phogat steps away from her wrestling career, her legacy as one of India’s premier athletes remains, even as the controversy surrounding her final Olympic appearance lingers.

This disqualification of Vinesh Phogat and the subsequent CAS ruling marked a significant low point for India at the Paris Olympics, contributing to an overall disappointing performance. India secured a total of six medals—one silver and five bronze—finishing 71st in the medal tally, a stark drop from their 48th place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

India’s sole silver medal was claimed by Neeraj Chopra in the men’s javelin throw, while the bronze medals came from Manu Bhaker in the women’s 10m air pistol, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, Swapnil Kusale in the men’s 50m rifle three positions, the Indian men’s hockey team, and Aman Sehrawat in the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling event.