Vinesh Phogat's Silver Medal Appeal at Paris Olympics Delayed Again by CAS

Vinesh Phogat's quest for justice at the Paris Olympics 2024 faces another setback as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) postpones its verdict for the third time. Discover the reasons behind the delay and what it could mean for Phogat's appeal.

8/14/20242 min read

Vinesh Phogat's pursuit of justice has encountered another delay, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its verdict on her appeal for a joint silver medal in the 50kg women's wrestling category at the Paris Olympics 2024. Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit on the morning of her gold medal bout. Both Phogat and her supporters had hoped for a quick resolution. Indian fans anxiously awaited the outcome after the hearing on August 9. However, the decision has now been delayed for the third time, with the CAS rescheduling the verdict for August 16 at 6 PM Paris Time, or 9:30 PM IST.

The verdict in Vinesh Phogat's medal case has been postponed for the third time.

According to Article 20 of the CAS rules, a decision is typically expected within 24 hours of a hearing. Based on this standard, a ruling in Phogat's case should have been issued by August 9. However, the CAS has invoked Article 18, which permits an extension of the decision timeline under exceptional circumstances, as the reason for the delay.

Article 18 provides the CAS President or Vice President with the authority to delay the announcement of a verdict if specific circumstances make it necessary. The CAS Ad Hoc Division has officially announced that, in line with Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the deadline for the panel's decision has been pushed to August 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM Paris Time.

Vinesh Phogat’s Potential Victory

Phogat's lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, believes that the repeated delays could be a sign that the CAS is thoroughly evaluating the case. He expressed hope that the extended timeframe might indicate a favorable outcome, as it suggests the panel is carefully considering all aspects.

"We believe that the repeated extensions suggest that the CAS panel is giving the case serious thought. If the Arbitrator is taking additional time, it might work in our favor," Singhania remarked. This ongoing anticipation highlights the significance of Phogat’s appeal as she continues her fight to correct the situation and possibly secure a silver medal.