Following the delay in the verdict on wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024, Wrestling Federation of India Vice-President Jai Prakash Chaudhary expressed optimism that the decision will be in favor of the athlete.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has further postponed the verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal regarding her disqualification from the women’s 50kg final at the Paris Olympics to August 16.
According to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the verdict, originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 13 at 9:30 pm IST, has been delayed until August 16.
“The CAS ad hoc division president has granted Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, Sole Arbitrator in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) matter, an extension until 6:00 p.m. (Paris time) on Friday, August 16, 2024,” the IOA said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This shouldn’t have happened. But I think something in favor of Vinesh is going to come… It seems there are some influential forces involved, and she will get the medal… I’ll say that her team is at fault. It’s their duty to manage the weight. But, let’s see what happens on August 16… Big advocates are involved, and even PM Modi has taken notice. I think the decision will be in our favor,” Jai Prakash said while speaking to ANI.
CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris, led by President Michael Lenard from the US, to handle Olympic cases. This division operates within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified on the morning of the Paris Olympics final for exceeding the 50kg weight limit. During the weigh-in, she was found to be 100 grams over the limit.
Following her disqualification, Phogat, on August 7, requested CAS to award her the silver medal. CAS had previously extended the deadline to August 13. Vinesh had reached the gold medal match by defeating Cuba’s Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semi-finals.
The 29-year-old was set to face Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States for the gold but was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. A day after her disqualification, Vinesh also announced her decision to retire from wrestling.
After Vinesh failed to meet the qualification mark, the Indian Olympic Association members and officials came under scrutiny.
IOA President PT Usha on Sunday clarified that the responsibility of weight management for athletes in sports like wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, and judo lies with each athlete and their coach, not with the IOA-appointed Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, and his team.
Usha stated that each Indian athlete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games competing in such sports had their own support team. These support teams have been working with the athletes for many years, as per a statement from the IOA.
CAS has established an ad hoc division in Paris, led by President Michael Lenard from the US, to handle Olympic cases. This division operates within the Paris judicial court in the 17th arrondissement.