Vinesh Phogat CAS Hearing Live: Element of human touch in Vinesh case, but where do you draw the line: IOC chief Bach

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.

“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.