CAS Dismisses Vinesh Phogat's Appeal for Joint Silver Medal in Paris Olympics Wrestling Competition
I. Introduction The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad-Hoc Division recently dismissed Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's application challenging her disqualification from the Women's Freestyle 50kg competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This case highlights the strict application of weight category rules in international wrestling competitions and raises questions about the balance between maintaining fairness and considering exceptional circumstances in elite sports. II. Background of the Case A. The Weigh-ins and Disqualification Vinesh Phogat, an accomplished Indian wrestler, was set to compete in the final of the Women's Freestyle 50kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 7, 2024. On August 6, she successfully passed the initial weigh-in at 49.9 kg and won three matches, securing her place in the final. However, during the second weigh-in on the morning of August 7, Phogat exceeded the 50 kg limit by 150 g. After a permitted 15-minute grace period, she we...