Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat and the heavy price of a 100-gram disqualification

The wait for Vinesh Phogat's Olympic silver medal grew even longer on Tuesday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its verdict yet again. The anticipated verdict, originally set for August 10, was first rescheduled to August 13. Now, the new date for the decision is August 16, extending the uncertainty for Phogat and India.

The star wrestler had challenged her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 women's 50kg wrestling final, arguing that she was only marginally over the weight limit. Initially, her appeal to CAS sought to overturn her disqualification on the grounds that she was within the allowable weight limit when she qualified for the final, making her eligible for a shared silver medal.

Phogat's legal representation includes a team of distinguished French lawyers provided pro bono by the Paris Bar. This team consists of Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson, who have played a crucial role in advocating for her case alongside the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Additionally, prominent Indian senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have been enlisted to strengthen her legal position.

Ahead of the August 13 deadline, Singhania offered a perspective on the extended deliberation period, suggesting that it could be a positive sign. "We all believe. Yes, the ad-hoc panel of the CAS has a time limit of 24 hours. The fact that they have extended the verdict deadline more than once means they are thinking about his matter seriously. if the Arbitrator madam is thinking about it, it's good for us," Vidushpat Singhania told India Today.

Despite this optimistic outlook, Singhania also acknowledged that not all CAS cases result in favorable outcomes, emphasizing the inherent unpredictability of the arbitration process. This underscores the complexity and the often uncertain nature of sports-legal disputes.

Phogat's situation has captured widespread attention, not only due to her stellar wrestling career but also because of the unusual circumstances surrounding her disqualification. Her case highlights the often intricate and prolonged nature of sports arbitration, where the stakes are high and the waiting game can be fraught with anxiety.

"I have fought many cases at the CAS in the past. The success rate at CAS is very low. In this matter, we are asking for a landmark decision from the arbitrator. It's a little difficult, but let's hope something big happens," Singhania added. "Let's all pray for Vinesh. Let's hope she gets a medal. Even if she doesn't get it, she is a champion."

The delay in delivering a verdict reflects the gravity with which CAS is treating the case, and while the extended deliberation might offer hope, it also underscores the challenges inherent in seeking redress in the realm of sports arbitration.

Phogat, who had confidently advanced to the final of the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling event, faced an unexpected setback that has since been a source of considerable distress. Her impressive journey to the final included a series of commanding victories, notably against the celebrated Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki.

The day after her disqualification, Phogat made the painful decision to announce her retirement from wrestling. The emotional toll of the situation, coupled with the intense scrutiny and pressure she faced, led her to conclude that she no longer had the strength to continue in the sport. Her announcement was met with an outpouring of support from sporting icons and fans worldwide, all rallying behind the 29-year-old wrestler who was competing in her third Olympic Games.

Vinesh's career had been marked by her outspoken stance on various issues within Indian wrestling. Months prior to the Paris Olympics, she had been at the forefront of a protest alongside fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik. The protest was directed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who had been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by Vinesh and other prominent grapplers.

The contrast between Phogat's earlier activism and her subsequent disqualification highlights the turbulent and challenging nature of her journey in the sport. As she awaits the outcome of her appeal, the wrestling community and her supporters continue to watch closely, hoping for a resolution that might restore some measure of justice to her Olympic campaign.