Paris Olympics 2024: Deadline extended to August 13 for decision on Vinesh Phogat’s plea

PTC News Desk: A ruling on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) will be rendered in another 72 hours. The deadline for the Sole Arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, to provide a decision in the Vinesh Phogat v. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee case has been extended by the CAS until August 13, 9:30 PM (IST).

The CAS gave a 72-hour extension late on Saturday, August 10, after they were supposed to make their announcement by 9:30 PM. The organization anticipates that this will be the last extension before the Olympic Games end on August 11. The CAS has given both sides until August 11 to submit any further supporting documentation, even though it was anticipated that the decision would be made before the end of the Paris Olympics.

Usually, the ad hoc panel is granted a 24-hour window in which to provide a decision. Nonetheless, the panel has requested a second time extension in this specific issue.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) heard Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Olympics for three hours on Friday, August 9. Through virtual participation, Vinesh made her case to the court with the intention of overturning the ruling. Her appeal was formally filed with the CAS, an impartial organization that mediates sports-related conflicts through arbitration or mediation, and the hearing was set for this Friday night.

Vinesh’s legal team contended that her disqualification stemmed from being 100 grams over the weight limit at the weigh-in prior to her gold medal match in the women’s 50kg wrestling event on Wednesday, August 7, rather than any fraudulent conduct.

Senior attorneys Vidushpat Singhania and Harish Salve, who have previously fought for athletes, were defending Vinesh. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, the Sole Arbitrator, was an Australian who oversaw the proceedings.

In a statement released on Friday, the IOA expressed its optimism for a successful outcome of the case and expressed gratitude to Senior Advocates Vidushpat Singhania and Harish Salve for their virtual representation of Vinesh.

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