CAS Defers Decision On Joint Silver To Vinesh Phogat

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has deferred its decision on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to award her a joint silver medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics till August 13.

The legal counsel for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Vidushpat Singhania confirmed to CNN News18 that the verdict will be delivered on August 13th after the deadline was extended till August 11 for the filing of additional documents before the CAS. However, he refused to comment on the legal strategy of IOA and Vinesh but is “very hopeful of a favourable verdict”.

In a statement later on, the IOA confirmed that the decision will be taken on August 13.

Vinesh was left heartbroken on Wednesday after it was announced she’d been found 100gm over the weight limit on the day of her gold medal match in the women’s freestyle 50kg event. She was then disqualified from the entire event meaning the Indian was also stripped of the guaranteed silver medal as a result of reaching the final. A distraught Vinesh went on to announce her retirement from wrestling.

IOA is hoping for a positive resolution. “Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s application before the Ad hoc Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in,” the IOA said in a statement.

Vinesh was represented by high-profile senior advocates Harish Salve and Singhania.