Sports lovers chagrined over dismissal of Vinesh Phogat’s plea

Lovleen Bains

Doraha, August 16

The dismissal of Vinesh Phogat’s plea for an Olympic medal by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has chagrined sports lovers across the country. Vinesh was disqualified from the gold-medal bout during the Paris Olympics final as she was found 100 gm over the prescribed limits in the customary morning weigh-in. She had appealed to the CAS, demanding a joint silver medal.

Dr Amandeep Singh, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Physical Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, opined, “Highly regrettable! It is extremely unfortunate for Phogat and the country’s sports lovers. Phogat has already suffered agony. Though the CAS may have been technically bound but inordinate delay in the decision, which is certainly the most unpleasant one, was no less than rubbing salt on the wounds. We are really sorry for Phogat who had to pay heavily for no fault of hers. This has for sure affected sportspersons, sports lovers and India as a whole,” he said.

Former Dean, Senator and Syndic of Panjab University Dr Bhupinder Singh Bhoop too termed it ‘most unfortunate’. “The inordinate and uneasy delay fuelled excessive hopes of an affirmative ruling by the CAS to deliver its verdict on Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver. But CAS knew that any resolution in favour of the athlete would virtually open a Pandora’s box. But CAS shouldn’t have lingered the decision if it was so constrained and predetermined to maintain the status-quo,” he added.

“What can be more unfortunate than to observe an athlete of this calibre being forced to pass through such a tormentous situation for no fault of hers. Whether this was a foolish mistake by the officials or a deliberate deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by them at the behest of some unscrupulous directions, the matter needs to be deeply investigated,” said Gurjeet Singh, a shooting coach.

Retired District Sports Officer Mohinder Singh said, “The news of dismissal is definitely sad. But sadder still is the role played by the Indian Olympic Association which could have easily avoided the situation had they sincerely intended to. It was as if the situation was allowed to worsen. The officials could have very simply evaded the situation by not sending the athlete for weighing, citing an injury instead, which would have at least ensured her the silver medal without competing further,” he added.