File photo of Vinesh Phogat © ANI Photo
As India awaits the outcome of wrestler Vinesh Phogat's hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic shared some key insights on the entire weigh-in controversy. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Lalovic expressed sympathy over the entire incident which saw Vinesh disqualified on the morning of her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics. Vinesh reportedly weighed just 100 grams over the 50kg mark required to qualify for the final. Yet, she was forced to disqualify.
Vinesh has decided to appeal to the CAS, the outcome of which is still awaited, but UWW representatives believe there is not much room for change in the outcome as wrestling organisations are simply following the rules as laid down.
“I am really sorry about what happened but an athlete is an athlete, no matter the size of the country. The weigh-in was public and everyone saw what happened. How can we allow someone to compete when we all know what happened? We have no choice but to follow the rules,” Lalovic told NDTV.
“We have introduced this rule with the health of the athletes in mind. Athletes are obliged to follow the weigh-in rules in order to take part in the competition. There may be some adjustments to the rules, but we have no intention of changing them. We receive advice and support from the medical committee, who are firmly opposed to any changes,” he added, denying the possibility of a major review of the weigh-in rules.
In the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling event, gold, silver and bronze medals have already been awarded, but Vinesh is appealing for a joint silver medal as she has passed the weigh-in and already advanced to the finals.
Though there is no provision for a second silver medal, Vinesh and those competing for her are not giving up hope.
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