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Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s fate at the 2024 Paris Olympics took a different turn after she was disqualified just hours ahead of her gold medal match in women’s 50kg. The Indian wrestler surpassed the permissible limit on the morning of her final, by over 100 grams, thus bowing out of the tournament.
However, the result forced her to announce retirement from the sport, Phogat even appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), pleading on two counts. While the first plea was rejected, the CAS underwent discussion on her joint silver medal plea, a decision of which is said to be announced on Saturday, August 10.
“By application of Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules form the Olympics Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division extends the time limit for the Panel to give a decision until 10 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris time),” a statement from CAS read. This statement follows the successful hosting of hearing where renowned lawyer, Harish Salve represented the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Vinesh Phogat’s French lawyers also presented the case.
IOA hopes for “positive resolution” in Vinesh Phogat’s appeal
The Indian Olympic Association said in a statement late on Friday evening that remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application. “Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in,” the IOA said in its statement.
After Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez replaced Phogat for the final against USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.
