Vinesh Phogat Olympic Row: On Idea Of Awarding Two Silver Medals In One Category, IOC President Says This

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach opened up on Indian grappler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the final of women's 50 kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics and said that they will "follow the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision". Vinesh was set to compete against the United States of America's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal but was disqualified on Wednesday for breaching the weight limit by just 100 grams. After her disqualification, Phogat requested the CAS to award her the silver medal.

The decision on awarding Vinesh Phogat a silver medal following her disqualification from the final of women's 50 kg wrestling will be taken before the end of the ongoing marquee event, announced the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday.

In a statement, CAS said, "An application was filed at the CAS Ad hoc Division at 16:45 CEST on 7 August 2024 by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (the Applicant) in relation to the decision taken by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women's Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 that was due to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day (the Challenged Decision)."

"The applicant initially sought a decision from the CAS Ad hoc Division annulling the challenged decision and ordering another weigh-in before the final match as well as a declaration that she be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final. However, she did not request urgent interim measures. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW (United World