Vinesh Phogat and Weigh-in Controversy

Context (IE): The Court of Arbitration for Sports accepted Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for the silver medal.

• Incident: India’s prominent wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics after failing to meet the 50 kg weight limit during the second day of weigh-in.
• Competition Format: Previously, wrestling competitions took place over a single day with just one weigh-in. However, in 2017, United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for amateur wrestling, altered the format to a two-day system to discourage extreme weight cutting.

United World Wrestling’s (UWW) Rules

• Weight Requirements: UWW rules stipulate that athletes must meet weight requirements on every competition day.
• Weigh-in Procedure: Wrestlers are required to weigh in on the morning of their competition on both days.
• Strict Limit: The weight limit is strictly enforced, with no allowances for exceeding the weight on the second day.
• Consequences of Non-compliance: Failing to make weight on either day leads to disqualification, and the athlete will be ranked last.
• Injury Exception: If an athlete is injured on Day 1, they are exempt from the second weigh-in and can keep their results. However, injuries occurring after Day 1 still require a second weigh-in.

Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS)

• Establishment: Founded in 1984 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to resolve disputes related to sports.
• Location: Headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the organization operates independently from sports organizations and governments.
• Weight Cutting: This is a strategy used by some athletes, including boxers and wrestlers, to rapidly reduce weight before a competition to qualify for a lighter category. This is typically achieved through methods like dehydration, dietary restrictions, and intensive exercise to meet specific weight requirements.
• Scope: CAS handles disputes across various sports, covering issues such as doping, contractual disputes, and matters related to the Olympic Games and other international competitions.