Sports fraternity lends support to Vinesh Phogat after CAS dismisses case

The Indian sporting fraternity reacted with disappointment at the Court of Arbitration for Sports CAS verdict rejecting wrestler Vinesh Phogats appeal against her Olympic disqualification but said she will remain a champion for themThe adhoc division of the CAS on Wednesday rejected Vineshs appeal against a gutwrenching disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 50kg final for being 100gm overweight which dashed any hopes of securing a belated silver medalIts disappointing but we cant do anything about that hockey legend PR Sreejesh who retired after inspiring the Indian team to a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in the Paris Games told PTI VideosTokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said a medal has been snatched away from VineshI believe your medal was snatched away in this darkness You are shining like a diamond in the whole world today Punia who led a long sitin protest along with Vinesh and Sakshi Malik accusing former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing women grapplers posted on XWorld champion pride of Hindustan RustameHind Vinesh Phogat you are the Kohinoor of the country Its Vinesh Phogat all over the world Those who want medals can buy them for Rs 15 each he wrote with a picture of Vinesh wearing several medalsThe 29yearold Vinesh was disqualified on the morning of the womens 50kg freestyle final in the Paris Olympics 2024 last weekIn her appeal Vinesh had demanded that she be given a joint silver with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez who lost to her in the semifinals but was promoted to the summit clash following the Indians disqualificationAlso ReadIOA exploring further legal options after CAS dismisses Vinesh Phogats pleaThe gold was claimed by American Sarah Ann HildebrandtA decision on Vineshs appeal was postponed three times Despite extending the deadline till August 16 to announce the verdict the decision against the star grappler came out Wednesday evening and it was a terse oneline statementIt is a sad news but what can we say A sportsperson works extremely hard and if something like this happens with anyone it hurts For us Vinesh is a star will always be said hockey player Jarmanpreet SinghHis teammate Amit Rohidas said the whole of India is with herShe should held her head high She is a champion for us and the country National wrestling coach Virendra Dahiya termed the CAS decision unfortunateIt is very unfortunate and a jolt for us We were very hopeful that the decision would be in our favour But it is unfortunate for Indian wrestling and the country he saidIndian Olympic Association President PT Usha had also expressed shock and disappointment at the turn of eventsThe body also lashed out at the inhumane regulations of the United World Wrestling UWW that fail to consider the physiological and psychological stresses faced by athletesThe IOA had roped in senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania to help Vinesh in her caseThe decision of the CAS was really disappointing We were very hopeful Vinesh worked hard the most After the timeline was extended we thought the arbitrator Madam was having a thought and that decision could be in our favour But it was dismissed with a one line statement Singhania saidWe have to wait for the detailed order we have to see what is written there and accordingly will take a decision regarding future course of action Asked what was the argument on the part of Vinesh he said The UWW wrestling world governing body had argued that rules are rules and if it weight category is 50kg you are allowed only 50kg and nothing above thatOur plea was on a different line that you have to see the human right aspect there is ambiguity in the rules no clarity on the rules But it seems our plea has been rejected and why it was rejected will be known only when the detailed order comes Vinesh is expected to return home on SaturdayWith agency inputs