CAS defers decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal against disqualification from Olympic final to Sunday evening

Decision likely to be made public on August 13, says an IOA source

PTI

Updated At : 10:17 PM Aug 10, 2024 IST

Vinesh Phogat. PTI file

Paris, August 10

The ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will take another day before deciding on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the women’s 50kg free-style final of the Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old was disqualified for being 100gm overweight at the time on weigh-in on Wednesday. The much-anticipated verdict on her appeal was earlier due to be announced this evening.

“The ad-hoc division of CAS has extended time till 6 pm on August 11, 2024, for the Sole Arbitrator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee to issue a decision,” the IOA said in a statement.

“The reasoned order will be issued at a later date,” it added.

According to an IOA source, the decision is likely to be made public only on August 13, two days after the conclusion of the Games in Paris.

The hearing into Phogat's appeal against her disqualification from the Olympic finals concluded late last night at the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) 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 the US.

"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 the summit clash, Vinesh was replaced by Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semifinals on Tuesday.

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.

She later went on to announce her retirement from the sport after challenging her disqualification, saying she does not have the strength to continue.