The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently convened a hearing to evaluate Vinesh Phogat's challenge against her exclusion from the Olympics following a weight-related issue. The Indian wrestler found herself in the midst of a legal battle after being deemed slightly overweight during the weigh-in for the women’s 50kg wrestling event's gold medal match on August 7. Phogat's defense team contended that her weight increase was a consequence of her body's recovery and was not an intentional breach of regulations, stating that it should not be grounds for disqualification.
Handled by prominent attorneys Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, Phogat's representatives underscored her autonomy over managing her body, asserting that her weight was within the permissible limits at the start of the competition. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, serving as the Sole Arbitrator, presided over the proceedings surrounding the case, which has garnered significant interest against the backdrop of the ongoing Paris Olympics. Representatives from the United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were also present to present their arguments during the hearing, which lasted over an hour each.
Expectations are high for the CAS to render an initial decision soon, with a detailed written ruling to follow thereafter. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed optimism for a favorable outcome and commended Phogat's legal team for their efforts. In a statement, the IOA reiterated its steadfast support for the wrestler, applauding her numerous accomplishments in the wrestling arena over the course of her illustrious career.
Phogat, who initially sought to challenge her disqualification and request a re-weighing to enable her participation in the final, faced certain time constraints that prevented the CAS from expediting the appeal before the final showdown. The hearing marked a significant development for Phogat, prompting a legal battle to overturn the ruling that prevented her from competing in the anticipated gold medal match between Sarah Hilderbrandt and Yusnelys Guzman.