In a setback to Vinesh Phogat, the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the petition filed by the wrestler against her dramatic disqualification before the women’s 50 kg final of the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh had appealed for the award of a joint silver medal as she had reached the final in the 50 kg category. “Application filed by Vinesh Phogat on 7 Aug 2024 is dismissed,” read the operative part of the decision in her application against UWW & IOC.
The judgment was signed by CAS’s Paris Olympics ad hoc division’s sole arbitrator Annabelle Bennett, who was hearing the case. CAS had announced that it will pronounce its verdict on Aug 16, 1800 hrs Paris time (9:30 pm IST), but surprisingly came out with the order two days before the scheduled deadline.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha expressed “shock and disappointment” at the turn of events. The association said it will stand by Vinesh in her tough times. In an official release, IOA also informed that it is exploring legal options so that the wrestler’s case is properly heard.
Cheerful welcome
Vinesh Phogat returned from Paris to an overwhelming crowd of supporters waiting for her outside Delhi’s IGI Airport, quickly lifting her spirits and the struggle she faced for the past few days. The first to greet her were Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, and ace wrestlers and olympians Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia.
Fans cheered her on with chants of ‘Champion Vinesh’, ‘Sherni Vinesh’, and ‘Tiger Vinesh’. Climbing atop a vehicle alongside Punia and Malik, an emotional Vinesh wiped away tears as admirers welcomed her with garlands, maces, sweets, and even currency garlands. She reciprocated the roaring crowd with folded hands and moist eyes.
Throughout the 100-kilometre journey from Delhi airport to her hometown of Charkhi Dadri, passionate wrestling fans lined the roads, stopping her vehicle to catch a glimpse and hail the wrestler.
The crowd swelled as she crossed into Haryana via Jhajjar district, where nearly every village along the way turned out to honour her with garlands.
