IOA Confusion Following CAS’s Latest Update on Vinesh Phogat’s Plea: When is the Decision Announcement? Vinesh Phogat Competes in Women’s Freestyle 50kg Quarterfinal at 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, August 6, 2024 (PTI)
Vinesh Phogat and the entire nation eagerly awaited the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision on Saturday regarding her request for a joint silver medal. However, the CAS ad-hoc division postponed the announcement to allow more time to review Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Following this, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) created confusion about the new date for the decision.
Vinesh Phogat attended the CAS hearing virtually on Friday
Vinesh Phogat attended the CAS hearing virtually on Friday, with senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania representing her case. United World Wrestling was also present. Initially, it was expected that the interim order would be issued on Friday, but no official update came until early Saturday morning, when it was announced that the verdict would be released by 9:30 pm IST.
Later on Saturday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) initially stated that the decision would be announced on Sunday, August 11, but later corrected this to August 13. The IOA clarified that the August 11 date referred to the deadline for submitting additional documents to the Sole Arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett. The IOA apologized for the confusion.
The CAS ad-hoc division, established for Olympic dispute resolutions
The CAS ad-hoc division, established for Olympic dispute resolutions, accepted Vinesh Phogat’s appeal on Friday. Phogat is seeking a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who was promoted to the final after Phogat’s disqualification for being overweight by 100 grams.
Phogat, who announced her retirement on social media after the disqualification, had requested the joint silver medal due to the circumstances. United World Wrestling and IOC President Thomas Bach have indicated they are not inclined to make exceptions but may consider rule reforms in the future.