Unique rule change proposal for the Olympics after Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification

An Olympic gold medalist proposes a rule change after the Indian wrestler’s sudden disqualification due to being “overweight.”

Paris Olympics 2024 has been all over the news, making headlines with wins, losses, and unimaginable shocks. One such sudden shocker came in the form of the disqualification of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had reached the finals of the women’s 50kg wrestling event; however, hours before the event, she was disqualified for being overweight by “100 grams.” Sadly, on Thursday, August 9, Vinesh Phogat also announced her retirement from the sport after her Olympics disqualification.

Vinesh Phogat announces her retirement.

Vinesh Phogat, in a heartbreaking social media post, announced her retirement from wrestling after her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024. She has also appealed against the decision of the CAS, an international institution that settles sports-related disputes through arbitration. She wrote on social media, “Mother Kushti (wrestling) won against me, I lost… Your dreams and my courage are broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be indebted to all of you. Please forgive (me).”

A former Olympic gold medalist has proposed a unique rule change.

USA’s former wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs has proposed a unique rule change amid the ongoing Vinesh Phogat saga. He has proposed that there should be an allowance of 1kg in the second-day weigh-in, and instead of the 8.30 am time for weigh-ins, it should be pushed to 10.30 am.

What did the former Olympic gold medalist post on X?

Posting about “Proposed Immediate Rule Changes for UWW” on X, he wrote:

1. 1kg second day weight allowance
2. Weigh-ins pushed from 8.30 am to 10.30 am
3. Forfeit will occur in future finals if opposing finalist misses weight
4. After a semifinal victory, both finalists’ medals are secured even if weight is missed on Day 2. Gold can only be won by a wrestler who makes weight on the second day
5. Give Vinesh the silver medal

Also, reports now suggest that Vinesh’s plea against the Olympic disqualification has been accepted by the ad-hoc panel of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the hearing is today, Friday, at 10 am local time, Paris.