Nation Holds Its Breath: Vinesh Phogat Awaits CAS Ruling Today on Olympic Medal

As India eagerly awaits, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to rule on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal in the women’s freestyle 50kg category at the Olympics. The decision, expected on August 13, could potentially overturn Phogat’s disqualification due to a marginal weight discrepancy.

Phogat was disqualified before the final match when she weighed in at 100 grams over the 50-kilogram limit. This slight overage, amounting to just 0.2% of her body weight, has sparked a nationwide debate and garnered support from prominent figures, including former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.

In their appeal to CAS, Phogat’s legal team, led by noted lawyer Harish Salve, presented several key arguments:

1. The distance between the competition venue and Athletes Village significantly impacted weigh-in results.
2. A tight competition schedule left insufficient time for weight management.
3. The minimal weight excess provided no competitive advantage.
4. Environmental factors, such as heat-induced water retention and muscle swelling from multiple same-day competitions, could account for the slight weight gain.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has thrown its support behind Phogat, emphasizing the negligible nature of the weight discrepancy and its potential natural causes.

As the sports world watches, this case could set a precedent for how weight categories are managed in high-stakes international competitions. The CAS ruling will not only determine Phogat’s Olympic fate but potentially influence future policies on athlete weigh-ins and disqualification criteria.

The entire nation stands united in hope, advocating for Phogat to receive her hard-earned silver medal. As August 13 approaches, all eyes are on CAS for a decision that could redefine Olympic wrestling regulations.

Vinesh Phogat Disqualification: What Were the Desperate Measures Taken to Reduce Weight