CAS to rule on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's silver medal appeal before Paris Olympics 2024 ends
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Aug 9, 2024, 4:22 PM ISTIndian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's quest for an Olympic silver medal remains alive as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that a decision on her appeal will be made before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's quest for an Olympic silver medal remains alive as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that a decision on her appeal will be made before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024. This follows her disqualification from the women's 50kg final due to being overweight by just 100 grams during the weigh-in.
Phogat, who was ruled out of the gold medal bout due to the disqualification, filed an appeal with CAS seeking to overturn the decision. Senior advocate Haris Salve has agreed to represent Phogat at the CAS hearing.
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CAS has acknowledged the appeal but clarified that it cannot reinstate her for the gold medal match or conduct a second weigh-in. Instead, the court will consider the possibility of awarding her a joint silver medal.
An official statement from CAS confirmed that Vinesh’s appeal, submitted on August 7, 2024, challenges the decision by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her before the final. Although the appeal does not include a request for urgent interim measures, CAS is expediting the procedure.
“An application was filed at the CAS Ad hoc Division at 16:45 CEST on 7 August 2024 by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (the Applicant) in relation to the decision taken by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women’s Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 that was due to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day (the Challenged Decision),” the statement from the CAS, issued on Friday, read.
Court of Arbitration for Sports says, the decision on 's plea against her disqualification is expected to be issued before the end of the pic.twitter.com/19bTf1yCkP
— cliQ India (@cliQIndiaMedia)"The Applicant initially sought a decision from the CAS Ad hoc Division annulling the Challenged Decision and ordering another weigh-in before the final match as well as a declaration that she be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final," the statement added.
“However, she did not request urgent interim measures. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing and the Applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the Challenged Decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal," the statement added.
"The matter has been referred to the Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator, who will hold a hearing with the parties today. The Sole Arbitrator’s decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games," the CAS statement further informed.
As the legal process unfolds, Vinesh Phogat's hopes for an Olympic podium finish remain intact, with a decision on the joint silver medal anticipated before the games conclude.
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