Wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic silver medal verdict date has been deferred by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but once more. While earlier it was mentioned that the decision would come earlier than the Paris Olympics 2024 ended, it has now been deferred for the second time. The first doable CAS verdict date was August 10, which was then moved to August 13. Now, the brand new verdict date is August 16.
Vinesh Phogat made historical past on the Paris Olympics 2024 by changing into the primary Indian feminine wrestler to enter the ultimate. However, earlier than her 50kg last bout, he was discovered to be 100 gram obese and was disqualified.
The star Indian wrestler then appealed to the CAS, a global physique established in 1984 to settle disputes associated to sport by means of arbitration, to provide her joint silver based mostly on the truth that she was throughout the permissible weight restrict on the primary day of competitors when she received three bouts to enter the ultimate.
However, the decision date of the attraction has now been deferred to August 16.
“The CAS ad hoc division president has allowed 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 mentioned in a press assertion.
“Hence, the scheduled Zoom meeting with IOA President Dr PT Usha and Senior Counsel Mr. Harish Salve has been postponed.”
Salve was Indian Olympic Association’s advocate on the CAS listening to Of Vinesh.
“By Application of Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games, the President of the CAS Ad Hoc Division extends the time limit for the Panel to give a decision until 16 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris Time),” the CAS mentioned in an announcement on Tuesday.
In her attraction, Vinesh has demanded that she be given a joint silver with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had misplaced to her within the semifinals however was promoted to the ultimate following the Indian’s disqualification.
Vinesh’s authorized workforce has French legal professionals Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim and Charles Amson who helped her and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the course of the submitting of the appliance. They have been supplied to her by the Paris Bar and are dealing with the case professional bono.
In addition, senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania have been additionally roped in to assist her within the case.
Interestingly, the IOA had despatched out invitations for a web-based press convention with its president PT Usha and Salve at the very same time at which the decision was anticipated this night. That invite was withdrawn inside minutes of the CAS assertion.
Vinesh, who was making her third Olympic look right here, introduced her retirement from the game a day after her disqualification, saying that she does not have the energy to proceed.
The world championships bronze-medallist had resorted to determined measures to save lots of herself from disqualification, together with chopping her hair, going with out meals and water, and understanding a complete night time.
She finally wanted IV fluids as a result of excessive dehydration and her plight evoked sympathy throughout the board.
Top fellow athletes like javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, hockey star P R Sreejesh and even cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar threw their weight behind her and advocated a silver medal.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach later said that he may perceive her state of affairs but additionally puzzled the place would one draw the road after permitting small concessions in sure conditions.
“I must say, I have a certain understanding for the wrestler; it’s clearly a human touch,” Bach had mentioned on Friday.
“Now, it’s (appeal) in CAS. We will, at the end, follow the CAS decision. But, again, the international (wrestling) federation, they have to apply their interpretation, their rules. This is their responsibility.” Nenad Lalovic, the United World Wresting (UWW) chief, nevertheless, remained uncertain that there could be any change within the outcomes as they have been solely following the foundations.
“I am so sorry for what happened, but no matter the size of your country, athletes are athletes. This weigh-in was public, everyone saw what happened. How can we allow someone to compete when we all saw what happened.
“We have no different alternative however to comply with our guidelines,” Lalovic had mentioned.
The CAS ad-hoc division, arrange particularly for dispute decision in the course of the Games, had accepted Vinesh’s attraction towards her ouster on Friday final week.
With PTI inputs
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