Vinesh Phogat's Olympic Silver Medal Appeal: CAS Verdict Delayed Again, Implications Explained

Aug. 14, 2024, 3:18 a.m.

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Vinesh Phogat’s wait for an Olympic silver medal has been extended at least till 9.30 PM IST on 16 August after the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) once again delayed the date for delivering its decision. This is the third time the date for the verdict has been extended by the CAS.

The Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat appealed to the ad-hoc division of the sports tribunal following her disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a weight violation. On the day of her gold medal match in the 50kg wrestling category, Vinesh was found to be 100 grams overweight during the weigh-in, resulting in her disqualification from the Games.

Advertisement Vinesh argued that she should at least be awarded a silver medal, given that she passed the weigh-in on the first day of competition, where she also won the semi-finals, securing a minimum silver medal position.

CAS, which initially stated that the verdict would be delivered before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics on August 11, and subsequently extended the deadline to August 13, has not provided a reason for the latest postponement. The tribunal simply stated that the time frame for the ad-hoc division to deliver its verdict has been extended.

"In accordance with Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division has extended the time limit for the Panel to issue a decision until August 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM (Paris time)," the CAS ad-hoc division announced in a statement.

What does this extension imply?

Senior counselor Vidushpat Singhania, who represented Vinesh during the CAS hearing along with Harish Salve, said that CAS is always quick to deliver a verdict but the fact that the deadline in Vinesh Phgat’s case had been extended more than once means they are thinking about the matter “seriously”.

Singhania remains optimistic about a favorable outcome.

“We all believe. Yes, the ad-hoc panel of the CAS has a time limit of 24 hours. The fact that they have extended the verdict deadline more than once means they are thinking about his matter seriously. if the Arbitrator madam is thinking about it, it’s good for us,” Singhania said.

Advertisement “I have fought many cases at the CAS in the past. The success rate at CAS is very low. In this matter, we are asking for a landmark decision from the arbitrator. It’s a little difficult, but let’s hope something big happens,” he added.

“Let’s all pray for Vinesh. Let’s hope she gets a medal. Even if she doesn’t get it, she is a champion.”