Tag: Vinesh Phogat Hearing Updates

Vinesh Phogat’s quest for justice took another turn when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) postponed its verdict on her appeal for a joint silver medal in the 50kg women’s wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on the morning. Of her gold medal bout, Phogat and her team had hoped for a swift resolution. They, along with Indian fans, awaited the outcome with bated breath after the hearing on August 9. However, the decision has now been delayed for the third time, with the CAS rescheduling the verdict for August 16 at 6 PM Paris Time, or 9 :30 PM IST.

Vinesh Phogat Medal Case: Why The Verdict Is Postponed For The Third Time?

According to Article 20 of the CAS rules, a decision should typically be delivered within 24 hours of a hearing. By this standard, a ruling on Phogat’s case should have been made by August 9. Nevertheless, the CAS has cited Article 18 for the delay, which allows for an extension of the decision timeline in exceptional circumstances.

Article 18 grants the CAS President or Vice President the authority to postpone the verdict announcement if deemed necessary due to specific circumstances. The CAS Ad Hoc Division has officially communicated that, in accordance with Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the deadline for the panel’s decision has been extended to August 16, 2024, at 18:00 Paris Time.

Vinesh Phogat Might Win The Battle

Phogat’s lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, has suggested that the repeated delays might indicate that the CAS is giving serious consideration to the case. He expressed optimism that the extended timeline could be a positive sign, suggesting that the panel is thoughtfully deliberating the matter.

“We all believe that the repeated extensions indicate that the CAS panel is seriously considering the case. If the Arbitrator is taking extra time, it could be favorable for us,” Singhania stated. This ongoing anticipation reflects the high stakes and the intense scrutiny surrounding Phogat’s appeal as she seeks to rectify the unfortunate situation and potentially secure a silver medal.

Paris Olympics 2024: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will announce its final verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal regarding her disqualification from the Paris Olympics on August 13 at 9:30 pm. If CAS rules in her favor, Vinesh will receive a joint-silver medal in the women’s 50kg freestyle category. CAS has set up a special division in Paris, led by President Michael Lenard from the US, to handle Olympic cases. This division operates out of the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.

Vinesh Phogat’s Case

Vinesh Phogat, a prominent wrestler, reached the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle event at the Paris Olympics after three impressive wins, including one against Japan’s Yui Susaki. However, she was disqualified from competing in the gold medal match against Sarah Hildebrandt of the US because she was 100 grams over the weight limit during the morning weigh-in. Following her disqualification, Vinesh appealed to CAS, seeking to be awarded a joint-silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to Vinesh but was promoted to the final after her disqualification.

IOC’s Stand On Vinesh Phogat’s Case

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach expressed sympathy for Vinesh’s situation but questioned how much leniency should be allowed in such cases. United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalovic, however, doubted that the results would change, emphasizing that the rules were followed strictly. Bach noted, “I have some understanding for the wrestler’s situation. The final decision will follow the CAS ruling. However, the international wrestling federation must apply their rules as they see fit.” Lalovic added, “It’s unfortunate, but rules must be followed. The weigh-in was public, and we cannot ignore the rules.” The Olympics concluded with a ceremony at the Stade de France, which hosted the track and field events.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach commented on the situation, expressing sympathy for Vinesh but questioning where to draw the line on such concessions. He pointed out the difficulty of making decisions based on minor differences, such as 100 grams, and wondered how such considerations would apply to sports with even smaller margins, like track events.

Will Vinesh Bring The Silver Medal Home? Final Verdict Today

The Court of Arbitration for Sports will announce its final verdict on this matter today, Tuesday 13 August. This ruling will determine whether Phogat’s disqualification will be upheld or if she will be awarded the silver medal she is contending for.