Vinesh Phogat’s olympic appeal verdict today: Will she secure a medal?
Vinesh Phogats olympic appeal verdict today: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat is awaiting a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on whether she will be awarded a silver medal following her disqualification from the gold-medal bout. Vinesh was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight on the day of the final, but she contested this decision in CAS in Paris. She left the Olympic Games village on Saturday.
Vidushpat Singhania, one of Vinesh’s senior counsels, commented, "We are hopeful. The ad-hoc panel of CAS has extended the verdict deadline multiple times, indicating they are seriously considering the matter. This is promising for us."
Singhania also mentioned, "My experience with CAS shows that the success rate is low, but we are seeking a landmark decision. It’s challenging, but we remain hopeful for a positive outcome. Regardless, Vinesh is already a champion."
Initially, Vinesh appealed to compete in the final, but was disqualified from the women’s 50kg wrestling final on August 7. In a subsequent appeal, she requested to be awarded a joint silver medal. The IOC announced her disqualification on August 7 and promoted Cuba’s Guzman Yusneylys, whom Vinesh defeated in the semi-finals, to the gold-medal bout. Yusneylys lost to USA’s Sarah Ann Hilderbrandt in the final.
The ad-hoc CAS division heard arguments from Vinesh Phogat, United World Wrestling, the International Olympic Committee, and the Indian Olympic Association. Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett from Australia reviewed the case for over three hours on Saturday. Although the panel was expected to deliver the verdict on the same day, they granted an additional 24 hours for more evidence and 72 hours for the arbitrator to finalize the decision. The verdict is now anticipated on Tuesday, August 13.
Vinesh’s legal team, including senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, argued that the weight gain on the evening of the competition was a natural part of the body's recovery process and not indicative of fraud. They emphasized that her weight was within the limit on the first day and that the increase was a result of recovery.
- With inputs from agencies
