CAS to announce decision on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal by evening | Key Updates

Paris Olympics 2024: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ad-hoc division is set to announce its decision on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal by 6 pm local time (9:30 PM IST) on Saturday. The appeal challenges Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympic finals due to being 100 gram overweight on the morning of the match against USA’s Sarah Ann Hildebrandt, who eventually won the gold medal.

The CAS statement said, “By application of Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division has extended the time limit for the panel to render a decision until 10 August 2024 at 18:00 (Paris time).” This extension allows for a decision to be made before the conclusion of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday.

The hearing, which concluded on Friday, accepted Vinesh’s appeal concerning her disqualification. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressed optimism about a favourable outcome, stating, “The Indian Olympic Association remains hopeful for a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding her failed weigh-in.”

In the final match, Vinesh Phogat was replaced by Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had earlier lost to Vinesh Phogat in the semifinals.

Vinesh Phogat’s appeal requests that she be awarded a joint silver medal with Lopez, citing that she was within the prescribed weight limit during her earlier bouts on Tuesday. Vinesh is being represented by prominent senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania in her appeal.