The International Sports Court did not announce the verdict of Vinesh Phogat’s case on Tuesday. The verdict was once again delayed. The International Court of Sports said that the verdict will be announced at 9:30 pm Indian time next Friday. The verdict backed down for the third time with this.
Vinesh reached the final of the women’s wrestling 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics. On the morning of the finals, she was disqualified from the competition as her body weight was 100 grams over than the permissible limit.
Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to the court
Vinesh Phogat appealed to the International Court of Sports against the decision of the World Wrestling Federation. The Indian wrestler claimed she had no problem with weight till she reached the finals. In that case, she should have at least been given silver as she could not play in the final. The International Court of Sports is supposed to announce the decision of that case.
After the hearing was over last Friday, it was announced that the verdict would be announced within 24 hours. But later it was informed that the verdict will be announced by 9:30 pm Indian time on Saturday. It didn’t happen either. The day of the verdict was postponed to Tuesday. Now that time has been pushed back to next Friday.
Judge Annabel Bennett heard Vinesh’s case for three hours. Four French lawyers fought for Vinesh there. Apart from this, Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania on behalf of the Indian Olympic Organization joined the hearing through virtual medium. They try to prove that Vinesh did nothing illegal. Didn’t take any precautions. He qualified for the semi-finals. Then why will she not be given the silver medal?
Vinesh’s opponents were the World Wrestling Federation and the International Olympic Organization. They also gave their statement to the court. Vinesh’s lawyers told the hearing that the weight had increased due to normal body functions. Every player takes care of his body. Vinesh weighed less than 50 kg on the first day of the competition. Weight gained later. This is the normal procedure. There is no irregularity in it.
On the other hand, the head of the International Olympic Organization, Thomas Buck, said, “Everything has a rule. International organisations have to abide by those rules. I know it is not easy for Vinesh. I feel bad for her. But rules are rules. It is equal for all. There is no reason to give her money.”
He also said, “We cannot say that if the weight is 100 grams overweight, we will play, but if it is 102 grams overweight, we will not. Decisions have to be made in thousandths of a second. That was seen in the Olympics this time (Noah Lyles beat Kishane Thompson by a thousandth of a second in the men’s 100m race). So what will happen in all those cases?”
The International Court of Sports rules
The International Court of Sports was established in 1983. Any complaint regarding the game can be made there. Athletes can file complaints in person in this court. Again, any country’s sports organisation can also file a complaint there.
Sometimes the International Sports Court directs the concerned body, issuing a statement to apologise to the athlete. Because of the decision of the organisation, the athlete has been defamed. In some cases the athlete has to be financially remunerate. However, the decision of the International Court of Justice is final. No appeal can be made against that.
