Paris Olympics 2024: ‘Element Of Human Touch In Vinesh Case…’ Feels IOC President Thomas Bach

IOC President Thomas Bach expressed understanding for Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification but questioned where to draw the line on concessions in sports rules.

Paris: International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Friday said he has a “certain understanding” for Vinesh Phogat, who has challenged her disqualification from Olympic finals in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but also wondered where would one draw the line after allowing small concessions in certain situations.

The 29-year-old was disqualified for being 100gm overweight ahead of her 50kg category gold medal bout on Wednesday. She then appealed against her disqualification in CAS, demanding that she be awarded a joint silver medal before eventually announcing her retirement from the sport.

“I must say, I have a certain understanding for the wrestler; it’s clearly a human touch,” said Bach, during an IOC media conference here.

“Now, it’s (appeal) in CAS. We will, at the end, follow the CAS decision. But, again, the international (wrestling) federation, they have to apply their interpretation, their rules. This is their responsibility,” he added.

Asked if two silver medals could be awarded in a weight category, Bach said, “No, if you ask in such a general way. But allow me to comment on this individual case.

“There the regulations of the international federation have to be followed and the international federation, United World Wrestling (UWW), was taking this decision.”

Bach said a 100gm overweight may not sound much to a layman but asked would such a relaxation would apply to a track event where results are sometimes decided by one thousandth of a second.

“Looking at the federation or anybody to take such a decision, when and where do you make the cut? Do you say with 100gms, we give it but with 102(gms), we don’t give it anymore?

“What do you do then in sports where you have differences of one-thousandths of a second (in track events). Do you also then apply such deliberations?,” he added.

Vinesh and her support staff took every possible measure to bring her weight within the prescribed limit.

The desperate tricks included cutting her hair, keeping her completely off food or liquids and spending an entire night working out to shed the extra weight.

She ended up being on an IV drip at the Games Village polyclinic due to the dehydration caused by the extreme measures.

While announcing her retirement, Vinesh stated that she does not have the strength left to continue any further.