CAS Upholds Disqualification of Vinesh Phogat
In a recent ruling, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal challenging her disqualification from the Women’s Freestyle 50kg competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Sole Arbitrator in this case, Dr. Annabelle Bennett, found that CAS had no jurisdiction to alter the rules set by the United World Wrestling (UWW) or the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Background
Vinesh Phogat, a prominent Indian wrestler, was set to compete in the finals of the Women’s Freestyle 50kg category on August 7, 2024. The previous day, during an official weigh-in, Phogat was recorded at 49.9 kg, comfortably under the 50 kg limit. However, on the morning of August 7, she weighed in slightly over the limit. A second weigh-in later that day recorded her as 100 grams over the allowed weight, leading to her disqualification. Phogat acknowledged her weight discrepancy but argued that it was minor and possibly due to pre-menstrual fluid retention. She sought to overturn the disqualification and be awarded a shared silver medal.
CAS Ruling
Dr. Bennett reviewed the case and upheld the disqualification, citing several key points as the following:
- Strict Adherence to Rules: The UWW International Wrestling Rules 2023 mandate a strict weight limit with no tolerance for the second weigh-in. The rules are clear that athletes must meet the weight requirements throughout the competition, not just at the initial weigh-in.
- No Tolerance for Exceptions: The rules do not accommodate personal circumstances such as biological factors or potential equipment faults. The weight limit is enforced uniformly to ensure fair competition.
- Jurisdiction Limits: CAS panels do not possess the authority to modify federation rules or award medals. Such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the IOC.
Dr. Bennett acknowledged the strictness of the rules, describing the complete disqualification as “draconian”. She suggested that a fairer resolution might have been to limit the consequences to the final bout, considering Phogat’s performance in earlier rounds. However, she emphasized that CAS’s role was not to revise the UWW’s competition policies.
ANM Comments:
The ruling has several implications for future sports competitions:
- Potential for Reform: The harsh impact of the rules may prompt discussions on potential reforms, on a case to case basis. It may be argued that, if there is a mandatory rule for a weigh-in before the final match, then the results of such weigh-in should only be applicable on the results of the final match. There should not be a retrospective effect on the legal match results, proper weigh-in, and efforts of the athlete, in earlier matches. The award does not foray into the fairness of the annulment of the results for earlier matches and take into consideration how the weigh-in just before the final match changes / affects the results of earlier matches (where the athlete passed the weigh-in and was officially allowed to complete).
- Contextual Evaluation: While maintaining strict adherence to rules is crucial, a more nuanced approach could be beneficial. Evaluating cases on an individual basis might help balance fairness with practicality.
- Impact on Athletes: The specific challenges faced by athletes, such as physiological changes affecting weight, could lead to the development of more accommodating guidelines.
Conclusion
Phogat’s disqualification adhered to the existing rules and upheld the integrity of the competition. However, the case underscores the need for ongoing evaluation of weight regulations to ensure they are fair and practical, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced by athletes. As the sports community reflects on this decision, there may be a push for rules that better balance strict adherence with fairness and individual circumstances.
