Today, On 14th August, The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Phogat’s case registered on August 9 and referred to arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett, a former judge of the Federal Court of Australia. The decision marks a significant setback in Phogat’s pursuit of Olympic recognition
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Paris has dismissed Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat‘s request for the award of a silver medal in the 50-kilogram women’s wrestling competition at the Paris Olympics 2024.
On August 9, CAS registered Phogat’s application and assigned the case to Dr. Annabelle Bennett, a former judge of the Federal Court of Australia, as the arbitrator. The hearing before Bennett conducted and concluded on the same day.
Phogat scheduled to compete in the final of the women’s wrestling event against America’s Sarah Hildebrandt in the 50 kg category but was disqualified before the match after failing to meet the weight requirement by approximately 100 grams. The disqualification decision made by United World Wrestling (UWW).
In response, Phogat filed an application on August 7, challenging United World Wrestling’s (UWW) decision.
According to a press release published on the CAS website on August 9, Vinesh Phogat initially requested that the challenged decision be annulled, a new weigh-in be conducted before the final match, and that she be declared eligible to compete in the final.
The release stated,
“The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is fast, but it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour, bearing in mind that the Respondent UWW would have had to be heard first. The procedure is, however, ongoing, and the Applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the Challenged Decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal.”
Vinesh Phogat‘s appeal arises from her disqualification after she found to be slightly overweight by approximately 100 grams following her victory in the semi-final bout of the 50-kilogram weight category. This minor discrepancy in weight led to her disqualification, sparking a significant controversy.
In her appeal, Phogat sought a joint silver medal, arguing that the disqualification due to such a small margin is unjust. The case has attracted attention at the highest levels, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) being a party to the proceedings.
Additionally, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) become involved as an affected party, reflecting the broader implications of the case for Indian sports.
Representing Vinesh Phogat in this crucial legal battle is Senior Advocate Harish Salve, a highly respected figure in the legal community. The hearing before the CAS already concluded, and all eyes are now on the upcoming verdict, which could have significant ramifications for the athlete and the broader sporting community.
CAS prides itself on its independence from any sports organization, operating under the administrative and financial oversight of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). It adjudicates legal disputes in the sports domain, issuing arbitral awards that carry the same weight and enforceability as judgments passed by ordinary courts. Furthermore, CAS offers mediation services to facilitate amicable dispute resolutions.