Paris: The Court of Arbitration of Sports will give a verdict for Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 final bout on Saturday (August 10) at 9:30 PM IST, a statement from the president of CAS ad-hoc division read. The development comes in after the hearing that concluded on Friday. The Indian wrestler had appealed to the CAS on Wednesday after she was disqualified for being overweight by 100 gms ahead of her women’s 50kg final bout at the Games.
“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),” the statement read.
Earlier on Friday, the hearing into Vinesh’s appeal concluded with the IOA insisting that it is hopeful of a “positive resolution”. This was after the CAS ad-hoc division, set up especially for dispute resolution during the Games, accepted Vinesh’s appeal against her ouster for being 100gm overweight on the morning of her final against eventual gold-winner Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of USA.
“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,” the IOA said in a statement. In her appeal, the Indian has demanded that she be given a joint silver with Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts on Tuesday. Vinesh was represented by high-profile senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania.
Decision on Vinesh Phogat to come by 9.30 PM Indian time today. #OlympicsOnJioCinema #Olympics#Silver#Vinesh#OlympicsinSports18#Paris2024 #ParisOlympics2024 pic.twitter.com/4pBmrK0qEO
— Kuntal Chakraborty (@Kuntalch) August 10, 2024
“Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. 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,” the IOA stated.
All concerned parties were given an opportunity to file their 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,” the IOA said.
IOA head PT Usha thanked Salve and Singhania as well as the Krida Legal team for their assistance and 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.
Vinesh went on to announce her retirement from the sport after challenging her disqualification, saying she does not have the strength to continue. Reacting to the current situation, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Friday said he has a “certain understanding” for Vinesh but also wondered where one would draw the line after allowing small concessions in situations like hers.
“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.
