• By Namrata Vijay
  • Fri, 09 Aug 2024 10:13 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Paris Olympics 2024: Thomas Bach, who is the chief of the IOC, on Friday finally reacted to Vinesh Phogat's Olympic disqualification and then her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to give her the joint silver medal for the women's 50kg wrestling. Bach revealed that he didn't see any sense in clinching two silver medals for the event. But at the same time, Bach admitted that he sympathizes with Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified ahead of her final match.

Vinesh Phogat's disqualification shocked everyone, just a few hours before the summit clash of the women's 50kg category as she was overweight by 100 grams. She was crestfallen and then announced her retirement from the sport on the next day. She would not only return empty-handed but finished at the last position after her failure at the weigh-in.

During the press conference in Paris, Thomas Bach told reporters that the IOC is bound by the decision of the CAS and also revealed as to why giving away two silver medals would be wrong after disqualification.

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"No. If you ask in such a general way, no. If you want me to comment about this individual, there are the regulations of the international federation have to be followed. The international federation, United World Wrestling, in this case, was taking this decision and there I must say I have a certain understanding of the wrestler. There is a human touch. But, looking at the federation or everybody who has to make such a decision, then when and where do you cut?", Bach told reporters in the press conference.

"Do you say with 100 grams we give it, but with 102 grams we don't give it anymore? What do you do with sports when you have differences with one-thousand of a second? Do you then also apply such deliberations? Now it's in CAS, we will in the end follow the CAS decision. But again, the international federation, they have to apply and interpret their rules. So this is their responsibility", he further said.

Vinesh's plea heard by CAS

Vinesh then appealed to the CAS on Friday to reverse her disqualification and that she should be given a joint silver medal.

It should be noted here that Vinesh Phogat had earlier asked to reverse her disqualification and conduct another weigh-in so that she could compete in the women's 50kg final, which was supposed to be held on Wednesday. But the CAS didn't make any decision for the appeal due to the paucity of time ahead of the summit clash and till then the IOC had the decision that the summit clash would be held between Sarah Hildebrandt and Yusnelys Guzman, whom Vinesh had defeated in the semifinals.

Vinesh then revealed that she should be given the joint silver medal and for this appeal, the hearing began on Friday.