CAS releases detailed verdict on Vinesh Phogat issue: 'Clearly up to an athlete to ensure they remain below weight limit'

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that the onus remains on the athletes to remain below the weight limit level and that there would be no exceptions made. The CAS statement comes after the board dismissed wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint-silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

Vinesh was disqualified from the Olympics despite qualifying for the final of the women’s 50 kg category after it was discovered that she was overweight by 100 grams on the day of the final. The decision has evoked a sharp reaction from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The CAS on Monday published a detailed decision, furnishing reasons why Vinesh’s appeal was rejected.

”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,” the CAS said.

”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.”

The decision on her appeal was rendered after three postponements. In her appeal, Vinesh had demanded that she be given a joint silver with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semi-finals but was promoted to the summit clash following the Indian’s disqualification. The gold was claimed by American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.

With PTI inputs