The decision on whether Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will get the silver medal or not has been postponed once again. CAS will now give its decision on this matter on August 13. After disqualifying herself, Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Arbitration for Sports (CAS) where the hearing has been completed. According to the latest update, now the decision on this matter can come by 6 pm on August 13.
What was the matter?
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before the final of the women’s 50 kg weight category as her weight was found to be 100 grams more than the prescribed limit during the weighing on the morning of the final on Thursday, August 7. According to the rules of the United World Wrestling (UWW), the organization that governs wrestling in the Olympics, any wrestler found overweight is disqualified from the entire tournament and does not get a medal even if he is in a position to win one.
The same thing happened with Vinesh and she was eliminated due to 100 grams more weight. Due to this, the minimum silver medal that Vinesh was supposed to get on reaching the final was also taken away from her and she was placed last among all the wrestlers. After this, Vinesh filed an appeal in CAS on the evening of 7 August, in which first of all there was a demand to stop the final and give her another chance. CAS immediately rejected it and said that they cannot stop the final. After this, the appeal was changed by Vinesh and a demand was made to be given a silver medal jointly.
After this appeal, the very next day 29-year-old Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling and said that she no longer had the strength to fight further. In this situation, after missing out on the medal, there was an atmosphere of disappointment, sadness and anger in the whole country. This matter was even raised in the Parliament and the opposition demanded intervention from the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha, who is present in Paris. The PM sought complete information from her about the matter and asked for all possible help.
