IOA 'exploring further legal options' after CAS dismisses Vinesh Phogat's plea

The Indian Olympic Association IOA is exploring further legal options after India wrestler Vinesh Phogats plea for the silver medal in the womens 50kg event at the Paris Olympics 2024 was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport CASThe application field by Vinesh Phogat on August 7 has been dismissed the CAS said in a statement on WednesdayFollowing the verdict Indian Olympic Association IOA president PT Usha expressed her shock and disappointment at the decision of the Sole Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS to dismiss wrestler Vinesh Phogats application against the United World Wrestling UWW and the International Olympic Committee IOC as per an official statement from IOAIn light of the order of the CAS the IOA continues to stand in full support of Ms Phogat and is exploring further legal options the IOA said in its statementThe IOA in its statement further said that it is committed to ensuring that Vineshs case is heard It will continue to advocate justice and fairness in sports ensuring that the rights and dignity of athletes and everyone in the sports fold are upheld at all times We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our stakeholders athletes and the publicAlso ReadVinesh Phogat delays return to India until verdict is announced SourcesVinesh was disqualified before the womens 50kg final of the Paris Olympics 2024 due to exceeding the 50kg weight limit on August 7 During the weighin she was found to be 100 grams over the limit She was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold medal Following her disqualification she made an appeal to award her the silver medal in the 50kg weight categoryThe operative part of the August 14 decision which dismisses Vineshs application to be awarded a shared silver medal womens 50 kg category at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 has significant implications for her in particular and the sporting community at large IOA said in its statementThe IOA further stated that the total disqualification of an athlete on a marginal discrepancy of 100 grams mandates deeper examination and raises questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretationThe marginal discrepancy of a 100 grams and the resultant consequences has profound impact not only in terms of Vineshs career but also raises serious questions about ambiguous rules and their interpretation IOA saidThe IOA firmly believes that the total disqualification of an athlete for such a weight infraction on the second of two days warrants a deeper examination Our legal representatives had duly brought this out in their submissions before the Sole Arbitrator IOA added in its statementIt also claimed that the incident revolving around Vineshs case highlights the inhumane regulations that dont take into account the physiological and psychological stress athletes take particularly female athletesThe matter involving Vinesh highlights the stringent and arguably inhumane regulations that fail to account for the physiological and psychological stresses athletes particularly female athletes undergo It is a stark reminder of the need for more equitable and reasonable standards that prioritize athletes wellbeing the statement further addedIOA has extended full support to Vinesh and confirmed that further legal options are being explored to ensure her case is heardWith agency inputs