Picture Credit: X
After India’s top wrestler, Vinesh Phogat registered an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on an Olympics silver medal, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach opened up, possibly declining joint silver medal in the wrestling event. Speaking at a press conference in Paris during the ongoing Summer Games, he also added that he would bind to CAS’ decision on this matter.
It is to be noted that Vinesh Phogat was disqualified ahead of her gold medal match in women’s 50kg category at the Paris Olympics as she surpassed her weight by over 100 grams. However, she had appealed on two counts, the CAS rejected her first plea while accepted her plea on awarding her the silver medal. After the CAS issued the first statement on Vinesh Phogat’s plea on Friday, August 9, IOC President Thomas Bach feels that awarding two silver medals would set wrong precedent.
"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 said.
"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?,” he continued, adding that the final decision lie with the CAS. “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 concluded.
Watch Thomas Bach speak on Vinesh Phogat's joint silver medal appeal
Furthermore, it is to be noted that after the series of events, Vinesh Phogat was forced to announce retirement from the sport. The Indian athlete just hours after her disqualification, announced retirement, adding that wrestling won and she lost in the sport. Taking to X, Phogat captioned a post in Hindi, which translated to, “Mother, I lost and wrestling won. Forgive me, your dream and my courage has been broken. I don’t have anymore strength in me now. Good bye Wrestling (2001-2024). I will be forever be indebted to all of you, forgive me.”
