After disappointing CAS verdict, sporting fraternity rally behind the ‘Kohinoor of India’

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha expresses "shock and disappointment" at the turn of events

New Delhi: The Indian sporting fraternity reacted with disappointment at the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) verdict rejecting wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her Olympic disqualification but said she will remain a champion for them.

The ad-hoc division of the CAS on Wednesday rejected Vinesh’s appeal against a gut-wrenching disqualification from the Paris Olympics 50kg final for being 100gm overweight, which dashed any hopes of securing a belated silver medal.

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“It’s disappointing but we can’t 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, said.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia said a medal has been snatched away from Vinesh. “I 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 sit-in protest along with Vinesh and Sakshi Malik accusing former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexually harassing women grapplers, posted on ‘X’.

 

आजादी दिवस के महापर्व की सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं।#जय_हिन्द 🇮🇳 #IndependenceDay2024 pic.twitter.com/Vp7TScOb6P

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 15, 2024

“World champion pride of Hindustan, Rustam-e-Hind Vinesh Phogat, you are the Kohinoor of the country. It’s 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 medals.

 

माना पदक छीना गया तुम्हारा इस अंधकार में,
हीरे की तरह चमक रही हो आज पूरे संसार में।

विश्व विजेता हिंदुस्तान की आन बान शान
रूस्तम ए हिंद विनेश फौगाट आप देश के कोहिनूर हैं।
पूरे विश्व में विनेश फौगाट विनेश फौगाट हो रही हैं।

जिनको मैडल चाहिए। खरीद लेना 15-15 रू में pic.twitter.com/8P1TwEiTiZ

— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 14, 2024

The 29-year-old Vinesh was disqualified on the morning of the women’s 50kg freestyle final last week. In 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 Indian’s disqualification.

The gold was claimed by American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. A decision on Vinesh’s 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 one-line statement. “It 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 Singh.

His team-mate Amit Rohidas said “the whole of India is with her”. “She should held her head high. She is a champion for us and the country.” National wrestling coach Virendra Dahiya termed the CAS decision “unfortunate”.

“It 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 said. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha had also expressed “shock and disappointment” at the turn of events.

The 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 athletes”. The IOA had roped in senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania to help Vinesh in her case.

“The 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 said.