Vinesh Phogat, the Indian wrestler’s Olympic journey has had many highs and lows. However, after her disqualification from the finals at the 50-kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics, it has been just one disappointment after another.
While Vinesh Phogat had maintained a calm air during her meeting with the nation coaches at the Olympic Village, saying, “It’s part of the game,” as per PTI, she broke her silence in an Instagram post after the recent decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What Did Vinesh Phogat Post?
In a caption-less Instagram post, Vinesh just posted a photo of her lying on the wrestling mat, hands covering her face on Thursday, India’s 78th Independence Day.
However, something that spoke more was the song she chose to go with the post, B Praak’s “Rabba Ve”, especially the line “Meri Baari Te Lagde, Tu Rabba Sutta Hi Reh Gaya.”
A Punjabi phrase, it reportedly roughly translates to “When it was my turn, God you kept sleeping”.
This made it more heartbreaking since it came just a day after the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) declined her petition for a joint silver.
The Ad Hoc division of CAS in Paris had gone through her appeal for around a week before reaching their decision. In a statement, CAS simply stated “The application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 August 2024 is dismissed.”
The verdict was signed by Sole Arbitrator Annabelle Bennett. CAS had earlier extended the verdict date twice, first claiming that it would be out by August 13 and then again changing the date to August 16th, but it was announced on Wednesday.
Read More: To Reduce Vinesh Phogat’s Weight For Olympics 2024, Coach Cut Her Hair, Tried To Draw Out Blood, Claims Report
A detailed order is said to come out in the next few days, however, IOA lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania believes that an appeal can be filed against CAS’s decision at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days.
ANI quoted Vidushpat saying, “No detailed order has come yet. Only a single-line order has come so far that her appeal has been dismissed. They have not cited a reason why has it been dismissed or why did they take so much time…
We were both surprised and disappointed that a decision came last evening and her appeal was dismissed… We hope that the detailed order will come in 10-15 days…
CAS decision can be appealed against at the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days. The 30-day time will begin after a detailed order comes. Harish Salve is with us, he will guide us. We will sit with him, draft an appeal and file it…”
Soon after the disqualification, Vinesh posted on X/Twitter about retirement writing “Wrestling won against me, I lost…my courage is all broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024.”
Vinesh has had a turbulent journey at the Olympics. During the Rio Olympics of 2016 too Phogat’s campaign came to an early end after she endured a knee injury. Despite being a top seed at the games, she couldn’t earn that medal.
There was another ray of hope during the Paris Olympics of 2024 when Vinesh defeated the long-standing winner Japan’s Yui Susaki in the opening round itself, ending her 82-0 unbeaten record. This win of Vinesh’s practically created Olympic history.
She then defeated Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the semi-finals, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach the final round at a wrestling event in the Olympics.
She was then supposed to compete against USA’s Sarah Hildebrant for a gold medal in the women’s 50-kg wrestling event but was disqualified after she was found to be 100 grams overweight.
The 29-year-old wrestler had hoped for at least a silver medal, however, the United World Wrestling (UWW) rules prevented that from happening, placing Vinesh in the last place instantly.
Indian table tennis player, Manika Batra, showed support to Phogat commenting “You’re an inspiration to us all, sister. You deserve every applause and more—truly a gem of India. Your unwavering dedication and strength light the way for so many. You’ve shown us what it means to chase dreams with passion and grace. India is proud to call you its own, and we’re blessed to witness your journey. Keep shining, keep inspiring.”
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has also stated CAS’s verdict stating “The matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and, arguably, inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes, particularly female athletes, undergo. It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes’ well-being.
In light of the order of the CAS, the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms Phogat and is exploring further legal options. The IOA is committed to ensuring that Vinesh’s case is heard. It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports, ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: The Economic Times, India Today, Hindustan Times
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat weight, Vinesh Phogat, Vinesh Phogat olympics, Vinesh Phogat olympics 2024, Vinesh Phogat paris olympics, Vinesh Phogat weight issue, Vinesh Phogat weight news, Vinesh Phogat weight controversy, Vinesh Phogat weight disqualification, Vinesh Phogat weight olympics, Vinesh Phogat weight loss Olympics, olympics 2024 news, summer olympics
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