This Disqualification Case Was Revoked In Paris Olympics After An Appeal

When India’s woman wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on Wednesday following 100 grams weight gain than the required 50kg for the Olympic event, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon who was disqualified earlier, has been reinstated to silver after an appeal.

The athlete from Kenya got herself at the center of a controversial ruling during the women’s 5000-meter final event on August 5. Though she finished the match second, her silver medal was revoked citing a physical altercation between her and Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.

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Kipgyon was in the lead followed by her teammate Chebet and Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi while Tsegay was in the fourth position initially. After reaching around the 4,200-meter mark, Tsegay surged ahead aiming for the first spot.

In doing so, Tsegay made a cut in front from the outside on Kipyegon’s right, in response, Kipyegon appeared to touch Tsegay’s left elbow. This strike led Kipyegon to almost lose her balance and come off the track.

There was an unusual amount of contact in the contactless event.

The two athletes were seen exchanging tense words and Kenyan Chibet also seemed to say something to Tsegay.

However, Chibet and Kipyegon finished the race in first and second position. Former Tokyo gold medallist Sifan Hassan from Netherlands came in third.

Tsegay finished the race in ninth position. Kipyegon celebration was short-lived. Officials soon after the conclusion of the race announced that the 30-year-old had been disqualified due to obstruction she had caused on track.

Chebet, the gold medal winner while speaking to the reporters after the match said that she felt disappointed with the decision and believes that justice will be served. “I think she will get the medal in the end,” she said.

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Her prediction came true. The Olympic jury of Appeal confirmed there had been “significant contact between, and by the two athletes,” however that “the incident did not warrant a disqualification.”

However, as a gentle reminder to the athlete, the jury gave Kipyegon a resultant yellow card by noting that “jostling of this nature is never acceptable”.