Star Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, disqualified for being 100 grams overweight ahead of her 50 kg gold medal bout, may still secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has reviewed her appeals: one for a re-weigh-in, which was rejected, and another to award her a silver medal due to her proper weigh-in on August 6. CAS is still deliberating on the latter appeal.
Earlier Thursday, Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling, citing a lack of strength. In a heartfelt post, she expressed her sorrow, stating, “Wrestling has won, I have lost. Please forgive me, your dreams and my courage, everything is broken.”
Vinesh’s Olympic journey has been marred by setbacks, including a severe injury at the 2016 Rio Games and a quarterfinal exit at Tokyo 2020. Her build-up to Paris was fraught with controversy, including protests against alleged corruption in Indian wrestling. Despite her efforts, she faced disappointment yet again.
An ad hoc division of CAS has been established in Paris to handle Olympic disputes, ensuring further scrutiny of Vinesh’s case.
