CAS Defers Decision on Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal, Verdict Expected on August 11

CAS Defers Decision on Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal, Verdict Expected on August 11

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has deferred its decision on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal regarding her disqualification and the withdrawal of her silver medal. The verdict is now expected to be delivered on August 11, 2024.

Phogat, who reached the women’s 50kg final at the Paris Olympic Games on August 6, 2024, was disqualified the following day for being overweight, according to United World Wrestling rules. Her appeal, seeking to restore her joint silver medal, was lodged immediately after the disqualification.

The ad-hoc division of CAS, which is responsible for resolving disputes during the Olympic Games, initially set a deadline for the decision on August 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. local time. However, the decision was postponed, with a final verdict now anticipated by August 13, 2024, at 6 p.m. Paris time (9:30 p.m. IST).

The deferment comes under Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, which allows for a 24-hour time limit to issue a decision. This limit can be extended in exceptional cases if deemed necessary by the president of the ad-hoc division.

Phogat’s appeal has garnered significant attention, as it highlights the stringent rules and the high stakes involved in Olympic competition. The wrestling community and Indian sports enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the CAS's final decision.

Previous instance

One notable previous instance involving the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) occurred during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, involving Russian long jumper Darya Klishina. Klishina was initially cleared to compete in the Olympics, despite a blanket ban on Russian athletes due to widespread doping violations. However, just days before her competition, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) revoked her eligibility, citing new evidence linking her to the state-sponsored doping program.

Klishina appealed the IAAF's decision to the CAS, arguing that she had been living and training outside of Russia for years and had consistently tested negative for doping. The CAS, convening under its ad-hoc division for the Olympics, ruled in favor of Klishina, allowing her to compete. The decision was delivered just hours before her event was scheduled to begin, illustrating the urgency and high-pressure environment in which the CAS often operates during the Olympics.

Klishina's case highlighted the complexities of Olympic eligibility rules, the impact of doping scandals on individual athletes, and the critical role that CAS plays in ensuring fair competition during the Games. Her eventual participation in the long jump event, where she finished ninth, was seen as a victory for individual justice within a system marred by broader controversies.