Indian team legend Sourav Ganguly has also come out in support of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from Paris Olympics 2024 for being 100 grams overweight, due to which she missed out on winning gold/silver. Cuban wrestler Yusnelis Guzman Lopez entered the final in place of Vinesh, who had lost to her in the semi-finals. The hearing of the case ended on Friday, with CAS accepting Vinesh’s appeal.
Vinesh had appealed against her disqualification on the morning of the final match for being 100 grams overweight. The verdict on this appeal was earlier to be pronounced on Sunday evening. The Indian Olympic Association had earlier said that the decision would come on Sunday, but then issued a clarification saying that the result would be known only on August 13. Amidst this entire controversy, Ganguly also came forward in Phogat’s defense and said that she should get at least a silver medal if she qualifies for the finals.
‘Sorry for whatever happened’, UWW president gives his stand on Vinesh case
Sourav Ganguly said, “I don’t know the exact rules, but I am sure that when she reached the finals, she qualified well. So when you go to the finals, it’s gold or silver. Whether she was unfairly disqualified or not, I don’t know, but she deserves at least a silver medal.”
“The Ad-hoc Division of CAS has given time to the sole arbitrator, Honorable Dr. Annabelle Bennett, in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee case, to deliver her decision by 6 pm on August 13, 2024,” the IOA statement said. The reference to August 11 in the previous communication sent by me was related to the time given to all parties to submit any additional documents before the sole arbitrator.
