The highly anticipated hearing of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has concluded. Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50 kg women’s wrestling final at the Paris 2024 Olympics for failing a second weight test by a mere 100 grams, is appealing for a shared silver medal. The final outcome of the arbitration is expected soon.
Hearing Details
The hearing was conducted in two rounds, with arguments presented by various stakeholders. The proceedings began with Phogat’s French legal team, followed by the United World Wrestling (UWW) representatives, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and finally, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) represented by senior advocate Harish Salve.
Salve, who argued for Phogat, spoke for over an hour, making a strong case for the wrestler. According to sources, the Indian camp feels optimistic about the outcome, as they believe Salve effectively conveyed Phogat’s side of the story.
The second round of arguments followed a different sequence, with Phogat’s lawyers once again leading, followed by the UWW, IOA, and closing comments from the IOC. Additionally, the arbitrators are expected to review the medical commission report before issuing their decision.
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BREAKING CAS Hearing. @Phogat_Vinesh
Operational outcome as told by the learned arbitrator will be out very soon. Detailed result later. @Phogat_Vinesh hearing concluded. It was done in 2 rounds. Vidushpat has been authorised to brief the media in India.
Here is how it… pic.twitter.com/c44sHH1DYb
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 9, 2024
Background of the Incident
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Olympic final sent shockwaves across the Indian sporting community. After successfully reaching the final in the 50 kg category, Phogat was disqualified on account of being 100 grams over the weight limit during a second weigh-in. The disqualification was a significant blow, given her remarkable performance leading up to the final.
On August 7, Phogat lodged an appeal with CAS, seeking to be awarded a shared silver medal. Her argument rests on the fact that she reached the final fairly and should be recognized for her achievement, despite the minor weight discrepancy ahead of the final, and not during the previous rounds.
What’s Next?
The operational outcome of the CAS hearing is expected imminently, with the detailed result to follow later. Vidushpat Singhania, who has been authorized to brief the media in India, is expected to provide further insights once the decision is made public.
As the Indian wrestling fraternity and fans await the decision, there is a collective sense of hope that the CAS ruling will be in Phogat’s favor, allowing her to share the podium and receive the recognition she deserves.
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