CAS issues official statement on Vinesh Phogat's appeal: 'Decision expected before end of Paris Olympics'

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The CAS on Friday said that they were not able to order a second weigh-in or reinstate Vinesh Phogat into the gold medal match, but will be hearing her appeal regarding awarding her a joint silver medal. read more

 'Decision expected before end of Paris Olympics'

Vinesh Phogat's chances of a silver medal is still alive. Reuters

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has officially announced that they have accepted Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a joint silver in wrestling at the Paris Olympics. While Vinesh’s appeal to CAS was confirmed by the Indian Olympics Association (IOA), this is the first time the tribunal has reacted on the matter.

Vinesh appealed to CAS after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 for failing the weigh in by 100 grams. She reached the final of the 50kg freestyle wrestling event on Tuesday after clearing her weigh-in but failed to make weight on the day of her gold medal match. As per international rules, Phogat was disqualified due to which she is ineligible for a medal.

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She then moved to CAS against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision.

The CAS on Friday said that they were not able to order a second weigh-in or reinstate Vinesh into the gold medal match, but will be hearing her appeal regarding awarding her a joint silver medal.

“An application was filed at the CAS Ad hoc Division at 16:45 CEST on 7 August 2024 by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (the Applicant) in relation to the decision taken by United World Wrestling (UWW) to replace her, because of her failed second weigh-in, before the gold medal match of the Women’s Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 that was due to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day (the Challenged Decision),” the statement from the CAS read.

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“The Applicant initially sought a decision from the CAS Ad hoc Division annulling the Challenged Decision and ordering another weigh-in before the final match as well as a declaration that she be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final.

“However, she did not request urgent interim measures. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing and the Applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the Challenged Decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal.”

The CAS also announced that the decision on the matter is expected to be issued before the end of the Paris Olympics.

“The matter has been referred to the Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC (AUS), sitting as a Sole Arbitrator, who will hold a hearing with the parties today. The Sole Arbitrator’s decision is expected to be issued before the end of the Olympic Games.”

The tribunal’s decision to hear Vinesh’s appeal has kept the chances of a medal alive at least as long as the verdict is not out.

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