Varsha
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the Olympics after failing to meet the weigh-in requirement, has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The hearing is set for today at 1:30 PM IST, where Vinesh hopes to be awarded a joint-silver medal.
A Heartbreaking Disqualification
Vinesh Phogat Olympics journey was on the verge of making history as she aimed to become the first Indian female wrestler to compete for a gold medal at the Olympics 2024. However, on the day of her final bout in the women’s freestyle 50kg event, she was found to be 100 grams over the weight limit. This led to her disqualification from the entire event, shattering her hopes of securing an Olympics medal.
Indian Government Steps In
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat Olympics match sparked a strong response from the Indian government. The country’s sports minister revealed that the national Olympic committee had lodged a protest with United World Wrestling, the sport’s governing body, challenging the decision. Despite this, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling the day after her disqualification.
Turning to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Refusing to give up, Vinesh Phogat has now turned to CAS in a last-ditch effort to be awarded a joint-silver medal. Reports indicate that CAS granted the Indian contingent until 9:30 PM IST on Thursday to finalize their legal representation. The hearing, initially set for earlier, has been rescheduled to 10 AM local time today (1:30 PM IST).
Senior Advocate Harish Salve to Represent Vinesh
After multiple requests, senior advocate Harish Salve has agreed to represent Vinesh Phogat at the CAS hearing. The Indian camp is optimistic that this legal challenge might overturn the disqualification or at least secure the silver medal that Vinesh earned before her weigh-in mishap.
Vinesh Phogat’s CAS Hearing Details
The CAS hearing will focus on Vinesh Phogat Olympics 2024 appeals. The first is to allow her to weigh in again, a request that CAS has already rejected, allowing the gold medal match to proceed as planned. The second is to award her a silver medal based on her earlier victories in the competition. The final decision from CAS on this matter is eagerly awaited by her supporters in India and around the world.
Stay tuned for live updates on Vinesh Phogat’s hearing and the ongoing events at the Olympics 2024.
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