Updates on Vinesh Phogat's Medal Case:
Will Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat get her medal or not? The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is currently hearing her case. The ad-hoc division of CAS has officially registered Vinesh's application. After being disqualified from the Olympics, Vinesh had an emotional post where she announced her retirement. An Australian judge is arbitrating this matter, and a decision could come before the Paris Olympics conclude on August 11.
Vinesh will present the following four arguments during the hearing:
1. Vinesh will argue that she did not commit any fraud.
2. She will state that her weight gain was due to her body's natural recovery process.
3. Vinesh will also argue that taking care of one's body is a fundamental right for any athlete.
4. It will be argued on her behalf that her weight was within the specified range on the first day of the competition. The weight only increased due to recovery, and it is not a case of fraud. She has a fundamental right to provide her body with the necessary nutrients for recovery.
Source: aajtak
A press release was issued by CAS regarding the Vinesh Phogat case, providing a significant update. The case is listed as CAS OG 24/17 Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling (UWW) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). CAS revealed that Vinesh's application was submitted on August 7, 2024, at 8:15 AM IST, requesting permission to qualify for the final and be deemed eligible for the gold medal match.
CAS mentioned that while the ad-hoc division's process is expedited, it is not possible to issue a decision on eligibility within an hour. However, the case has now been assigned to Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC, a former judge of the Federal Court of Australia. She is currently arbitrating the case.
What CAS Does
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent institution created to handle all sports-related legal disputes globally. Established in 1984, this international body mediates sports-related disagreements. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, with courts located in New York City, Sydney, and Lausanne. Temporary courts are also set up in current Olympic host cities.
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the 2024 Paris Olympics' women's 50kg wrestling event on Wednesday due to exceeding the weight limit before the finals. Vinesh had made history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the Olympic final. By morning, she was assured of at least a silver medal, but her weight was found to be 100 grams over the limit. The 29-year-old was taken to the polyclinic in the Athlete Village as she experienced dehydration earlier that day.
