Vinesh Phogat joint silver medal appeal Highlights, Paris 2024 Olympics: CAS verdict deferred to August 13, 9:30 PM IST

The ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Saturday deferred the decision on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification for being overweight and “withdrawal of her silver medal.”

A legal counsel associated with the case told Sportstar that the time limit was extended until 6 p.m. (Paris time) on August 13.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has deferred Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal verdict to August 13. The reasoned order will be issued at a later date.

The CAS verdict is likely to be out soon. Vinesh Phogat’s hopes for an Olympic medal will hinge on it. 

If she gets the medal, it will be really good. If such a situation didn’t come up, then she would have won the medal for sure. If you don’t get the medal, then it feels like something is missing. People will remember her for some time and say “you are our champion” but if she doesn’t get the medal then they will forget her, that’s my fear. I just want to request people to not forget what Vinesh Phogat has done for the country. 

UWW chief Nenad Lalovic said Vinesh’s disappointment at being disqualified was understandable, but there was no scope for exception.

“We have to respect the rules. I’m so sad about what happened to her. She was overweight, even though by a small margin, but rules are rules. The weigh-in is public, and all the athletes are there. It’s impossible to let someone compete who doesn’t make the weight,” said Lalovic.

Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS) is presiding as the Sole Arbitrator. 

“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.

“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.

The medals for the women’s 50kg freestyle category have been given out in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the event has not been put to rest. Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the gold medal bout due to missing the required weight by 100g, has moved the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) ad-hoc panel sitting in Paris to consider awarding her joint-silver for her run to the final clash.

The hearing in this case was scheduled for Friday, August 9, with both parties — Vinesh’s legal counsel and United World Wrestling — set to make their arguments. 

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), on Friday, said that it remains optimistic about a favourable outcome of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Court of Arbitration of Sport’s (CAS’s) Ad hoc division.

Vinesh had pulled off the biggest upset of the Paris 2024 Olympics when she beat the ‘invincible’ Yui Susaki in the pre-quarterfinal round of the women’s 50kg freestyle on August 6.

But on the morning of the final the next day, she failed to meet the weight requirement, missing the cut by a mere 100 grams. As a result, she was disqualified from the medal race altogether, after which she decided to retire from wrestling.

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Reetika has lost her quarterfinal bout and will now have to rely on her opponent making it to the final to have a shot in the repechage round. 

“By application of Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division extends the time-limit for the Panel to give a decision until 10 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris time),” a CAS release stated. 

Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in on the second day of her Women’s Wrestling 50kg competition in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as IOA as an interested party over three hours.

Each of the parties was accorded an opportunity to file its detailed legal submissions prior to the hearing and then present oral arguments. It was indicated by the Sole Arbitrator that the operative part of the order may be expected soon, with a detailed order with reasons to follow thereafter.

IOA President PT Usha thanked Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania as well as the Krida Legal team for assisting the IOA present its arguments during the hearing.

“IOA deems its duty to back Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, unflinching, and unwavering support to her, regardless of the outcome of this matter. We are proud of her countless achievements on the wrestling mat throughout her stellar career,” Usha said.

The hearing in the Vinesh Phogat vs United World Wrestling case was conducted over two rounds. The full story from Vinesh’s perspective was laid out by both the Indian and French lawyers working with Vinesh on this case. Harish Salve is reported to have spoken for over an hour. 

The hearing for Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle category happened on Friday. Vinesh attended the hearing virtually and arguments were presented by her team of legal representatives and representatives of the United World Wrestling, the second party in this case. 

While initial reports suggested an interim order would come the same day, no official communication has come through. We anticipate a statement on Saturday. The IOA seems to be optimistic about Vinesh’s chances in this case. 

Vinesh has appealed to be given joint-silver. Join us again on Saturday to keep up with the latest from this case.