CAS Postpones Verdict on Vinesh Phogat's Disqualification Appeal to August 16

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has extended the decision deadline on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal regarding her disqualification at the Paris Olympics. Initially set for August 13, the verdict is now scheduled for August 16. Phogat was disqualified for exceeding the 50kg weight limit.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delayed the verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal regarding her disqualification from the women's 50kg final at the Paris Olympics, now scheduled for August 16. CAS has set up an ad hoc division in Paris, headed by President Michael Lenard from the US, to handle Olympic cases, operating within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.

According to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the decision, initially set for Tuesday, August 13 at 9:30 p.m. IST, has been postponed. "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," stated the IOA.

Phogat was disqualified on the morning of the Paris Olympics final for exceeding the 50kg weight limit, being 100 grams over. After her disqualification, Phogat requested CAS to award her the silver medal. CAS had previously extended the deadline to August 13.

"The ad hoc division of CAS has extended the deadline for the Sole Arbitrator, Hon Dr. Annabelle Bennett, in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee matter to issue a decision until 6:00 p.m. on August 13, 2024," the IOA noted Saturday.

The previous communication sent by IOA mentioned August 11, for the submission of additional documents before the sole arbitrator. Vinesh reached the gold medal match by defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals. The 29-year-old was disqualified before facing Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold.

Following her disqualification, Vinesh announced her decision to retire from wrestling. The Indian Olympic Association came under scrutiny after her weight limit breach. IOA President PT Usha clarified that weight management is the responsibility of each athlete and their coach, not the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala and his team.

Usha added that each Indian athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had their own support team, which had been working with them for many years, as per an IOA statement.