‘She deserves the silver medal at least,’: Sourav Ganguly on Vinesh Phogat controversy

Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly on Sunday reacted to the Vinesh Phogat Olympics controversy and said that the wrestler ‘at least deserves the silver medal.’

“I don’t know the exact rule, but I’m sure that when she reached the finals, she must have qualified properly. So when you go to the finals, it’s either a Gold or Silver medal. Whether she was disqualified wrongfully or not, I don’t know, but she deserves the Silver medal at least,” he said in an event as per PTI Videos.

Phogat had challenged her disqualification in the Olympics after she failed to make the weight for her 50 kg final against USA’s Sarah Hildebrandt last Wednesday.

The Indian wrestler was found 100grams overweight on the morning of the final and was subsequently disqualified from the competition. Guzman Lopez replaced Phogat in the final, and American Sarah Hildebrandt defeated Guzman Lopez 3-0 to win the gold medal.

Phogat’s appeal for a shared silver medal after she was disqualified from an Olympic final for missing weight could come as late as Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport had said on Saturday.

“The ad hoc division of CAS has extended time for the Sole Arbitrator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee matter to give a decision till 6.00 pm (9.30 PM IST) on August 13 (Tuesday),” the communication stated.

The sports’ highest court originally said the decision was expected to be made by the end of the Olympics, but CAS has granted sole arbitrator Annabelle Bennett more time. The court said the time limit can be extended “in exceptional circumstances.”

Meanwhile, Phogat announced on Thursday on social media that she would retire from the sport. “My courage is broken, I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling, 2001-2024.”

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