Here's what Vinesh Phogat revealed to court about her weight issue at Paris Olympics

India eagerly anticipates the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Women's Freestyle 50 kg wrestling final at the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who was 100 grams over the weight limit, was barred from competing in the gold medal bout. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has filed an appeal, challenging the decision made by United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Arguments Presented by Phogat’s Counsel
As reported by Indian Express, Phogat's legal team contends that several factors contributed to her being over the weight limit. They argue that the tight schedule between bouts and the significant distance between the Champ de Mars Arena (the competition venue) and the Athletes Village played a crucial role. According to a report in the Indian Express, Phogat's counsel highlighted that "the distance between Champ de Mars Arena and the Athletes Village" and "the tight schedule between bouts" did not allow her sufficient time to adjust her weight, which had reached 52.7 kg by the evening of Day 1.


The counsel also noted that "the excess of 100g is extremely negligible" and claimed it could be attributed to factors like "the bloating of a human body during summer weather" or "muscle mass increase as the athlete competed three times on the same day." They argued that this minimal weight excess did not confer any competitive advantage.

Legal and Health Considerations
Phogat's counsel has called for an application of the principle of proportionality. They assert that "there would be a manifest disproportion between the level of excess (which excludes any attempt at fraud or manipulation of the athlete) and the irreversible consequences that would result from her non-participation in the finals," as stated in the report. The defense emphasized that preserving the athlete’s health should take precedence over strict adherence to weight limits.

Support from the Indian Olympic Association
The IOA has expressed strong support for Phogat. "IOA deems its duty to back Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, unflinching, and unwavering support to her," said IOA President PT Usha. The IOA argues that Phogat’s disqualification was unjust and stands by her achievements throughout her career.

Community Backlash and Support
The disqualification has elicited widespread support from the sporting community. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has publicly criticized the decision, stating, "Time for an Umpire’s Call! Every sport has rules and those rules need to be seen in context, maybe even revisited at times. Vinesh Phogat qualified fair and square for the finals. Her disqualification by weight was before the finals and hence, for her to be robbed of a deserving silver medal defies logic and sporting sense."

Tendulkar added, "It would have been understandable if an athlete were to have been disqualified for ethical breaches such as the usage of performance-enhancing drugs. In that case, to not be awarded any medal and be placed last would be justifiable. However, Vinesh beat her opponents fairly to reach the top two. She definitely deserves a silver medal."

Awaiting the Final Decision
CAS is expected to announce its verdict before the Paris Olympics concludes on Sunday. Phogat's appeal seeks to overturn the disqualification and secure a shared silver medal. The outcome will not only impact Phogat’s career but also set a precedent for how weight-related disqualifications are handled in international sports.

As the wrestling community and supporters await the CAS decision, Phogat's case continues to spark debate about fairness and athlete welfare in competitive sports.