After Vinesh Phogat appealed in the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), the hearing of this case has been completed. The hearing of this case lasted for three hours. Indian female wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified even before the final match of the Paris Olympics.
Vinesh Phogat appealed to CAS only after being disqualified. It is worth noting that before the final match, Vinesh Phogat’s weight was found to be 100 grams more than the prescribed limit. She was disqualified due to being 100 grams overweight.
Decision expected in favor of Vinesh
The Indian Olympic Association is hopeful that the verdict should come in favour of Vinesh Phogat. Vinesh had appealed for her joint silver medal at the Paris Olympics after she was surprisingly disqualified for being 100 grams over the prescribed limit during the weigh-in on the morning of her gold medal bout against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the US. The US wrestler later defeated Cuba’s Yusnelis Guzman Lopez, who replaced Phogat in the final, to win the gold medal.
The CAS ad-hoc division, set up specifically for dispute resolution during sports, accepted Vinesh’s appeal and the hearing was held on Friday, with the 29-year-old participating in the proceedings virtually. Arguments for Vinesh were presented by senior advocate Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania, a renowned lawyer who has fought for many athletes in the past, while representatives of the other party in the case, United World Wrestling, were also present.
“The Indian Olympic Association hopes for a positive resolution of the application filed by wrestler Vinesh Phogat before the Ad Hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weight measurement,” the IOA said in a statement. While reports initially said an interim order would be issued on Friday itself after the hearing, there has been no official word yet.
“Since the matter is sub judice, the IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all the parties – applicant Vinesh Phogat, respondents United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee as well as the IOA – for over three hours. It was indicated by the Sole Arbitrator that the operative part of the order may be expected soon, following which a detailed order with reasons will be given,” the IOA said.
The organisation’s head PT Usha thanked Salve and Singhania as well as the Kreeda legal team for their assistance and arguments during the hearing. “The IOA feels its duty to support Vinesh and would like to reaffirm its steadfast, fearless and unwavering support to her, whatever the outcome of this case. We are proud of her countless achievements on the wrestling field during her illustrious career,” she said.
