"It is clearly up to an athlete"- CAS releases detailed verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics 2024

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has publicly released its verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Phogat faced a heartbreaking disqualification after being found 100 grams overweight during the women’s 50 kg final weigh-in.

The shocking turn of events came just a day after she qualified for the gold medal bout by defeating Japan’s Yui Susaki.

"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' verdict read.

Phogat’s disqualification stirred significant controversy, especially after her appeal to the CAS was rejected. CAS' decision, delivered on August 14 after three postponements, confirmed that the disqualification was in line with United World Wrestling (UWW) regulations. It mandates strict adherence to the weight limit without any tolerance, even for minimal excesses like Phogat’s 100 grams.

"There is no dispute that the Applicant was above the weight limit. She gave the above evidence clearly and directly at the hearing. Her case is that the amount of excess was 100g and that a tolerance should apply as this is a small excess and explicable for reasons such as drinking water and water retention, in particular during the pre-menstrual phase,” it added.

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CAS calls UWW rule to disqualify Vinesh Phogat "draconian"

While CAS upheld the UWW's decision, it also labeled the outcome as "draconian," criticizing the complete elimination of Vinesh Phogat from ranking consideration despite her successful competition in earlier rounds. The ruling highlighted that Phogat, an experienced athlete, was fully aware of the strict weight requirements when she entered the 50 kg category.

Nonetheless, CAS acknowledged the argument made by Phogat regarding water retention during the pre-menstrual phase but ultimately ruled that the responsibility to meet the weight limit lay with the athlete.

"The Applicant is an experienced wrestler who had previously competed under the Rules. There is no evidence to the contrary, or any evidence by the Athlete that she did not understand the weight requirements," the statement read.

"She voluntarily entered the 50 kg category and, from the evidence, undertook a regime to keep within that weight limit. Her evidence was that she did not have sufficient time to complete a weight loss program, not that she somehow found it interfered with her bodily rights. The consequences of the failed second weigh-in, which do not arise from any illegal or wrongful act on the part of the Applicant are, in the opinion of the Sole Arbitrator, draconian," it added.

Vinesh Phogat’s appeal sought a joint silver medal alongside Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was promoted to the final after her disqualification. However, the appeal was denied, and the gold was awarded to American wrestler Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.