The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a statement on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal, confirming that a decision will be issued before the end of Paris Olympics 2024.
Earlier, the Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the Women’s 50 kg Wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024 on 6 August for being slightly overweight, had appealed to CAS to be awarded the silver medal.
The wrestler announced her retirement from the sport on August 8.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has contracted top lawyers Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania to fight her case.
The CAS ad hoc division has officially registered Vinesh Phogat’s application and the matter has been referred to Dr. Annabelle Bennett, who will hold a hearing later today.
According to a press release, “The Indian Olympic Association (IOC) is assisting Vinesh Phogat with her appeal after she was disqualified from the competition for being 100gm over the stipulated 50kg on the second day of her competition. She had made the weight on the first day and won three bouts on her way to the final.”
The statement further added, “United World Wrestling (UWW) competition rules stipulate that a wrestler’s results would be annulled if he (or she) does not make the weight on either day of competition. IOA President Dr. PT Usha and Wrestling Federation of India President Sanjay Singh had requested UWW President Nenad Lalovic on Wednesday to not annul Vinesh’s results from the first day,” the statement added.
What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)?
Established in 1984 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the CAS is independent of any sports organisation and operates under the authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). It is considered the Apex court dedicated to resolving disputes related to sports.
The court handles various sports-related disputes involving athletes, coaches, sports organisations, and sponsors. With a panel of nearly 300 arbitrators worldwide, the CAS provides expert adjudication in complex legal matters within the sports industry.
