India responds after Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat rejects his medal bid

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The Indian Olympic Association has expressed “shock and disappointment” after a court rejected star wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal over her disqualification from the Paris Olympics.

The star wrestler had filed a request with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be considered for a shared silver medal after she was disqualified on the morning of her gold medal fight.

She was scheduled to compete against American Sarah Hildebrandt in the 50 kg weight class on August 7, but she lost her chance because she was found to be 100 grams overweight on the morning of the competition.

Her appeal to the CAS was postponed twice, after which India’s hopes of a seventh medal in Paris were dashed on Wednesday when the ad hoc division of the CAS rejected her appeal.

In a strong statement responding to the decision, the Indian Olympic Association said: “The operative part of the August 14 decision rejecting Vinesh’s bid for a shared silver medal in the women’s 50kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has grave implications for her in particular and the sports community at large.”

“The marginal deviation of 100 grams” raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation, said the body, which called for a “more in-depth examination” of the regulations.

Such “inhumane rules” put unnecessary “physiological and psychological pressure” on athletes, the association claimed, adding: “It is a stark reminder of the need for fairer and more reasonable standards that prioritise the welfare of athletes.”

The Indian sports body said it continued to support Phogat and was exploring further legal options, although it was unclear what those would be.

A day after her disqualification last week, Phogat announced her retirement from the sport. In a message in Hindi, she said: “My courage is broken, I have no strength left now. Goodbye wrestling, 2001-2024.”

Members of the Indian sports federation have expressed support for Phogat and expressed their displeasure over the CAS ruling.

“It is disappointing but there is nothing we can do about it,” said Indian hockey player PR Sreejesh, who helped his team to a second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

“I believe your medal has been snatched away in this darkness. You are shining like a diamond in the whole world today,” said fellow wrestler and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, who had joined Phogat in lengthy sit-in protests last year to demand an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against former Indian wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

National wrestling coach Virendra Dahiya called the CAS decision “unfortunate”.

“It is very unfortunate and a shock for us. We were confident that the decision would be in our favour. But it is unfortunate for Indian wrestling and the country,” he said.

Phogat is expected to return to India this Saturday, six days after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, where India won six medals – one silver and five bronze – to finish 71st in the medal table.