The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has released a comprehensive 24-page verdict dismissing Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Phogat, who was disqualified from the final of the women’s 50 kg wrestling category for being 100 grams over the weight limit, had sought to share the silver with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was promoted to the final after Phogat’s disqualification.
CAS’s stand on weight regulations
In the detailed verdict, CAS underscored the non-negotiable nature of weight regulations in wrestling, asserting that it is the sole responsibility of the athlete to ensure they remain within the stipulated weight limit. The ruling stated, “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.”
CAS further highlighted that Phogat was indeed overweight on the day of the final, exceeding the limit by 100 grams. Despite Phogat’s argument that this minor excess could be attributed to factors such as water retention during the pre-menstrual phase, the CAS verdict dismissed the notion of any tolerance for such reasons.
Phogat’s appeal presented the case that the competition on August 6 and August 7 constituted two separate events, given that there were two distinct weigh-ins on each day. She argued that the weigh-in on August 6 should not have affected her eligibility to compete in the final on August 7, particularly since she had successfully weighed in under the limit on the previous day. However, CAS found this argument unpersuasive, stating, “Elimination from the competition cannot be limited to elimination from the final round of the competition.”
CAS also stressed that the rules, draconian as they may seem, are explicit in stating that any athlete exceeding the weight limit is disqualified from the competition entirely and is ranked last without any official ranking. This, CAS pointed out, signifies a clear intent that disqualification applies to the entire competition and not just a specific round.
In addition to rejecting Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver medal, CAS clarified that the power to award medals rests solely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The verdict noted that the IOC had already awarded the silver and bronze medals based on the official rankings, and there was no provision for awarding a second silver medal. CAS emphasised that it had no authority to alter the medal distribution as determined by the IOC.
The decision has sparked a strong reaction from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which had been advocating on behalf of Phogat. The IOA expressed disappointment over the CAS ruling, arguing that Phogat’s disqualification was a harsh outcome for such a minor infraction.
Nevertheless, CAS’s ruling makes it clear that adherence to weight regulations is an essential and non-negotiable aspect of competitive wrestling. The verdict serves as a stark reminder to athletes worldwide of the importance of strict compliance with these regulations, regardless of the circumstances.
