What Next for India and Vinesh Phogat? Still One Avenue for India to Overturn Decision at Olympics

Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the 50kg women's wrestling event at the Paris Olympics has left the Indian fans shocked. The Indian wrestler who was guaranteed atleast a silver has been left heartbroken after her exit from the title bout. Phogat missed the finals after she weighed 100 grams over the 50 kg mark and was ousted from the finals. Now, a big question arises: Does Vinesh Phogat have any other chance left? Will she be able to compete? Turns out, she only has only one avenue left.

Also Read: HEARTSHATTERING: Vinesh Phogat's First Photo After Disqualification From Paris Olympics

What's Next for Vinesh Phogat? What does the Court of Arbitration states?

Vinesh Phogat has been ousted from the competition after she was found overweight for her gold medal match today at the Women's 50kg Wrestling event in the Paris Olympics. Vinesh was nearly 100 grams overweight during her morning weigh-in, which prompted the officials to disqualify her before the medal match. Vinesh's unfortunate exit from the finals has caused chaos in the country as well as among the members of the contingent. In the midst of all this chaos, let's see what the Court of Arbitration for Sport has to say about the Olympic selection dilemma.

"There is a limit to the discretion of sporting federations. The key question is then “whether or not these flaws in the procedures amount to circumstances which demonstrate that the Nomination Criteria have not been “properly” followed and/or implemented”. In the present case, the fact that the official result of a specific regatta was modified by the selection panel “had a relevant operative effect in that it caused the weight given to the performance of the Appellants in the Nomination Regattas to be decreased.”

“The sole arbitrator is “satisfied that in the particular circumstances of this case, the decision of the AYF Board could have been different if the particular non-compliance had not occurred”. This led to the annulment of the original selection decision and the re-submission of the matter to the AYF Board to make a novel decision,” The Court of Arbitration said.

Also Read: Cut Her Hair & Draw out Blood: How Vinesh Phogat and Coaches Spent a Sleepless Night to Make Weight

Vinesh will not be eligible to compete for the gold or silver medals as a result of her disqualification. She is not going to be able to participate. It was a major setback for the Indian team because Vinesh was one of their best hopes for a medal. He was a few grammes over the permitted weight limit, which meant she lost her opportunity to win the gold.