CAS defers verdict on Vinesh Phogat's appeal again; decision now on August 16

NEW DELHI: The Court of Arbitration for Sport's ad-hoc division has once again postponed its ruling on Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification from the Olympic finals. The new date for the decision is now set for August 16, which means the Indian wrestler will have to wait longer for a resolution to her case.
Phogat, 29, was disqualified from competing in the women's 50kg freestyle final because she was found to be 100gm over the weight limit during the weigh-in process on Wednesday of the previous week.


"The CAS ad hoc division president has allowed Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett, Sole Arbitrator in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) matter, an extension until 6-00 p.m. (Paris time) on Friday, August 16, 2024," a release from the IOA said.

The case has been postponed for a third time, with no explanation provided for the delay.
Vinesh, in her appeal, has requested that she be awarded a joint silver medal alongside Yusneylis Guzman Lopez from Cuba. Guzman Lopez had been defeated by Vinesh in the semifinal round but advanced to the final after the Indian wrestler was disqualified.
Vinesh's legal representation consists of a team of French lawyers, including Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson. These attorneys have been assisting Vinesh and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) throughout the process of submitting the application. The Paris Bar has assigned these lawyers to Vinesh's case, and they are providing their services pro bono.

Additionally, senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania were brought in to assist her with the case.
The IOA had initially scheduled a virtual press conference with its president, PT Usha, and Salve, coinciding with the anticipated timing of the verdict. However, the invitation was swiftly retracted mere minutes after the CAS released its statement.
Vinesh, a three-time Olympian, made the decision to retire from the sport just a day following her disqualification. She stated, "I don't have the strength to continue," expressing her inability to carry on in the wake of the recent events.
The world championships bronze-medallist took desperate measures to avoid disqualification, including cutting her hair, going without food and water, and working out through the night. Ultimately, she required IV fluids due to extreme dehydration, and her situation drew widespread sympathy.

Top athletes like javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, hockey star PR Sreejesh, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar supported her and advocated for a silver medal.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach later expressed understanding of her situation but questioned where the line should be drawn if small concessions were allowed in certain circumstances.
"I must say, I have a certain understanding for the wrestler; it's clearly a human touch," Bach had said on Friday.
"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."
Nenad Lalovic, the United World Wresting (UWW) chief, however, remained doubtful that there would be any change in the results as they were only following the rules.
"I am so sorry for what happened, but no matter the size of your country, athletes are athletes. This weigh-in was public, everyone saw what happened. How can we allow someone to compete when we all saw what happened.
"We don't have any other choice but to follow our rules," Lalovic had said.
The CAS ad-hoc division, set up especially for dispute resolution during the Games, had accepted Vinesh's appeal against her ouster on Friday last week.