After Vinesh Phogat controversy, world wrestling body may change weight rules: sources
Paris Olympics 2024: UWW may consider making some minor changes to the weight rules after the Vinesh Phogat controversy sparked a major debate. Vinesh was disqualified from the gold medal race at the Olympics for being 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in on the second day of the competition.
Summary
- Debate over wrestling's weight and measurement regulations is increasingly fierce at the Paris Olympics
- The World Wrestling Authority may make minor changes to the weight rules
- Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on the day of the final .
Wrestling's global governing body United World Wrestling (UWW) could make minor changes to weight regulations after what they witnessed at the Paris Olympics, sources say. 2024. Although weight regulations are unlikely to change completely, there will be minor modifications to ensure the safety and health of athletes. Changes may take effect sooner than expected.
The development comes even as Vinesh Phogat challenged her disqualification from the women's 50kg gold medal at the Paris Olympics after failing to pass the weight test. Vinesh was found to be 100 grams overweight during his second weigh-in yesterday morning. A special division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal and heard arguments from plaintiff Vinesh Phogat, defendants United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee, as well as the IOA as an interested party.
Sole umpire Dr Annabelle Bennett of Australia heard arguments for more than three hours on Saturday. With the special division of the CAS Court of Arbitration for Sport expected to deliver its verdict on Saturday, it has been given an additional 24 hours for the parties involved to provide further evidence and 72 hours for the sole umpire to make a ruling. Vinesh Phogat’s appeal decision is now expected to be delivered on Tuesday, August 13.
Vinesh had initially requested to be allowed to fight in the gold medal match. However, the Olympic body disqualified her and allowed Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman, who lost to Vinesh in the semi-finals, to compete for gold on Wednesday. Vinesh then appealed to be awarded the overall silver medal. Vinesh's lawyers, including senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, argued that the weight gain on Tuesday night was due to the body's natural recovery process and an athlete's basic right to care for his body. They argued that his body weight was below the prescribed limit on the first day of competition and that the weight gain was due to recovery, not cheating.
CONTROVERSY OVER WEIGHING RULES
It should be noted that the UWW allows a 2kg weight tolerance at other major events, including the World Cup, but has a stricter policy at the Olympics. American wrestling great Jordan Burroughs was among many who expressed support for Vinesh. Burroughs suggested that 1kg could be allowed on the second weigh-in day.
UWW director Nenad Lalovic shared his thoughts on the matter in an exclusive conversation with India Today. Lalovic sympathized with Vinesh but added that the rules were pre-determined and everyone had to follow them.
“We have to respect the rules. I am very sad about what happened to him. She was overweight and very short. But rules are rules and everything is public. All the athletes are there and it is impossible for someone to not perform,\" Nenad Lalovic told India Today.
The move from a one-day weigh-in system to a two-day weigh-in system was made to address some of the issues related to excessive weight loss and improve the overall health and safety of athletes. This change allows wrestlers more time to rehydrate and recover after weigh-ins, reducing the risks associated with excessive weight changes.
The change comes after much discussion and analysis of the impact of the weigh-in process on athlete health and fairness in competition. UWW officially implemented the two-day weigh-in system beginning in 2018.
