Vinesh Phogat CAS Verdict Highlights: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delayed its ruling on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Games until August 16, marking the third postponement of the decision. Vinesh, 29, faced disqualification from the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s 50kg wrestling final after being found 100 grams overweight. She submitted two appeals to CAS: one challenging her ineligibility for the final, and the other seeking to be considered for a joint-silver medal. While CAS rejected the first appeal, it has accepted the second.
In her appeal, Vinesh Phogat has requested to be awarded a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who advanced to the final after Vinesh's disqualification, despite losing to her in the semifinals.
Here is the statement from the Indian Olympic Association -
"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."
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extends till August 16 ( 6 pm-Paris time) the decision on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal to be awarded the joint silver medal in the women's 50kg freestyle category," said IOA.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Games until August 16. This is the third time the decision has been delayed by CAS.
Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite needing to drop from her usual weight of 53kg to compete, a common practice among wrestlers, Vinesh defied expectations. She began her journey by achieving a stunning victory over Japanese Olympic champion Yui Sasaki, securing crucial points in the final moments. She continued her impressive performance by defeating Ukrainian 2018 World Championships bronze medalist Oksana Livach and Cuban wrestler Yusneyis Guzman in the semi-finals. With this achievement, Vinesh became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
In response to Vinesh Phogat’s retirement announcement, Japanese gold medalist Higuchi shared an empathetic message on X, saying, "I understand your pain all too well—just a 50 grams difference. Don’t let the voices around you affect you. Life continues, and rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest." Higuchi, who won gold after defeating India’s Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg freestyle semifinals, expressed his support and encouragement to Vinesh during this challenging time.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ad hoc division, located within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement, will operate until August 11. This panel is tasked with issuing a decision within 24 hours of receiving an application, though this timeframe may be extended by the President of the ad hoc Division in exceptional circumstances.
The ad hoc division is composed of:
Arbitrators present in Paris:
Available remotely:
Legendary Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh believes that Vinesh Phogat deserves a medal, given her achievement of reaching the final in the women’s 50kg wrestling competition in Paris, despite being disqualified for being just 100 grams over the weight limit.
Sreejesh, who retired from competitive sport after winning his second consecutive Olympic bronze medal, admitted he could hardly imagine himself in Vinesh’s situation and was uncertain how he would have handled such a setback. A week ago, Vinesh made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
In Paris, during the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing for Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, Olympic silver medalist Neeraj Chopra remarked -- We all know that if she receives the medal, it would be wonderful. She would have earned it if not for this situation. While people remember us as champions for a time if we don't get the medal, they also tend to forget us. I urge everyone not to forget what Vinesh has done for the country.
Vinesh missed her opportunity to compete for the gold medal when she was disqualified before the final round for exceeding the weight limit in her 50kg wrestling category. She later appealed the disqualification to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to be awarded a joint silver medal in the 50kg category.
On Sunday, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Dr. PT Usha clarified that the responsibility for managing the weight of athletes in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with the athletes and their coaches, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, and his team.
Dr. Usha explained that each Indian athlete competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has their own support team, which has been working with them for years. The IOA had appointed a medical team a few months ago to assist with recovery and injury management during and after competitions. This team is also available to support athletes who do not have their own nutritionists and physiotherapists.
Vinesh's legal team includes French lawyers Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson, who have been provided pro bono by the Paris Bar. They assisted her and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) with the application process.
Additionally, senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have been brought on board to support her case. Salve, who served as the Solicitor General of India from 1999 to 2003, also represented India at the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. Should the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rule in Vinesh's favor, she will be awarded a joint silver medal in the women's 50kg freestyle category.
We are just hours away from the conclusion of this saga, with the official judgment from CAS expected to be announced before 9:30 PM IST tonight, according to the latest reports.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is the premier international body for resolving sports-related disputes. Established in 1984, CAS operates independently from any sports organization under the auspices of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, with additional courts in New York City and Sydney, CAS addresses a broad spectrum of sports issues involving athletes, coaches, sports organizations, and sponsors. The court boasts a panel of nearly 300 arbitrators globally, offering expert adjudication on complex legal matters in the sports sector. CAS plays a vital role in ensuring fairness, integrity, and transparency in sports, providing a neutral and impartial platform for resolving disputes and safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.
Vinesh Phogat's career has been plagued by significant setbacks, including a severe knee injury and the unexpected exit from the Tokyo Olympics. Despite enduring constant criticism and accusations, she has shown remarkable resilience. Phogat's unwavering determination to overcome both physical and emotional hurdles is impressive. She has persistently battled a system that has frequently marginalized and undervalued female athletes.
On Sunday, several khaps (caste-based councils) in Haryana rallied in support of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified at the Paris Olympics for being overweight. They demanded justice for Phogat and called for her to be honored with the Bharat Ratna.
During the 'Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat' held in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, the khaps also urged Phogat to reconsider her decision to retire from wrestling. The 29-year-old wrestler, who was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit before her women's 50 kg final on August 7, announced her retirement on social media following the disqualification.
The 29-year-old Vinesh Phogat was disqualified before the gold-medal bout for being 100 grams over the weight limit during the morning weigh-in, shattering her Olympic dreams. This setback led her to announce her retirement from wrestling.
"I don't know the exact rule, but I'm sure that when she reached the finals, she must have qualified properly," Ganguly said. "So when you go to the finals, it's either a gold or silver medal. Whether she was disqualified wrongfully or not, I don't know, but she deserves the silver medal at least," he added.
Vinesh Phogat has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting to be awarded a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez. Lopez, who lost to Vinesh but was promoted to the final following Vinesh’s disqualification, is the basis for the appeal.
American Sarah Hildebrandt won the gold medal after defeating Lopez in the final. A decision on Vinesh's appeal is anticipated on August 13.
Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, described the situation as 'gut-wrenching' for Vinesh Phogat as she awaits the verdict in her case regarding her disqualification from the final of the women's 50 kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics.
"It's gut-wrenching for Vinesh and the entire nation, but that is what life is all about. The matter is with CAS, let's wait for the verdict," said Bindra.
The result of Vinesh Phogat's appeal is expected by 9:30 PM (IST) on August 13, 2024.
Vinesh Phogat was replaced by Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez in the finals after failing the weigh-in, despite having defeated Lopez in the semifinals. In her appeal, Phogat has requested that she be awarded a joint silver medal alongside Lopez, arguing that she was within the prescribed weight limit during her competition bouts.
On social media platform X, Chaturvedi criticized the IOA for neglecting its duty towards Indian athletes and failing to safeguard their interests.
"Wow. The IOA has completely abandoned its responsibility to protect Indian athletes. Vinesh Phogat has been denied justice and unfairly sidelined. Shame on the IOA for releasing this statement while Phogat's case for a silver medal is still under review," Chaturvedi tweeted.
Nita Ambani praised Vinesh Phogat as a "champion of champions," highlighting her inspiring spirit.
"I want to honor a young woman who isn't here today, but whose spirit has inspired the entire nation. She is a true fighter and a winner, both in the ring and in life. A brave daughter of our land and a champion of champions."
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) remains optimistic about a favorable outcome for wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal before the Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding her disqualification due to a failed weigh-in during the Women's 50kg wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics.
Sports law expert Vidushpat Singhania, representing the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), shared insights with Sportstar. He stated, “While it is technically possible to appeal a CAS decision in Swiss courts, the chances of success are minimal as it must be based on public policy concerns. Appeals are generally only viable if a fair process was not followed, which seems unlikely in this case. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider the CAS verdict as final.”
In a heartfelt post on X, Vinesh Phogat conveyed her feelings of defeat and gratitude, writing, "Wrestling has won against me; I have lost. Forgive me, as your dreams and my courage have been shattered. I no longer have the strength. Farewell, Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be grateful for your support and understanding."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that Vinesh Phogat's appeal for a shared silver medal, following her disqualification from the Olympic final for exceeding the weight limit, could be decided today. Although a decision was initially expected by the end of the Olympics, CAS has extended the deadline for Sole Arbitrator Annabelle Bennett to finalize her ruling.
The ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has extended the deadline for its decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification from the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics. According to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Sole Arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, now has until 6:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024, to deliver her verdict. The IOA clarified that the previous reference to August 11 pertained to the deadline for submitting additional documents to the Sole Arbitrator.
Neeraj Chopra expressed his hope for Vinesh Phogat to receive the medal, acknowledging that it would be a significant achievement. He noted that while people remember athletes as champions when they win, they tend to forget them if they don’t. Neeraj urged the public not to forget Vinesh's contributions to the country, regardless of the outcome.
Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), was questioned about the possibility of awarding two silver medals at the Paris Games. Initially, Bach responded with a firm “no,” but he deferred the final decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “I understand the human aspect of the situation for the wrestler,” Bach said, “but the question of where and when to draw the line falls to the international federation. It is their responsibility to apply and interpret the rules.”