New Delhi: Another day, another deferring. The wait is getting longer in Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic finals disqualification case as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) deferred for the third time in four days. The Indian wrestler had appealed to the CAS after she was disqualified from the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s 50kg wrestling final for being overweight by 100 gms.
Vinesh and the Indian camp had argued that the athlete was within the permissible weight limit when she qualified for the final, which made her eligible for a joint-silver medal. The verdict, which was set to be announced on Saturday, August 10 was deferred to August 13 and now a new date (August 16) has been chosen to announce the verdict.
The verdict was so supposed to come before the Paris 2024 Olympics’ conclusion.
Vinesh’s legal team comprises French lawyers Joelle Monlouis, Estelle Ivanova, Habbine Estelle Kim, and Charles Amson. The quartet, appointed by the Paris bar, helped her and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to file the initial application in CAS.
In addition, the Indian government sent senior counsels Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania to Paris to help her in the case.
Why is the case being repeatedly deferred and is it a good sign for Vinesh?
The cases filed in CAS have a very low success rate and since the Indian camp is asking for a landmark decision, which if awarded in Vinesh’s favour, would be averse to the United World Wrestling (UWW) rules, the arbitrator is taking time to announce the verdict.
“I have fought many cases at the CAS in the past. The success rate at CAS is very low. In this matter, we are asking for a landmark decision from the arbitrator. It’s a little difficult, but let’s hope something big happens,” Vidushpat Singhania told India Today.
Singhania also explained why the prolonged deliberation by CAS is good news for the Indian camp.
“We all believe. Yes, the ad-hoc panel of the CAS has a time limit of 24 hours. The fact that they have extended the verdict deadline more than once means they are thinking about his matter seriously. if the Arbitrator madam is thinking about it, it’s good for us”, he added.
Vinesh Phogat disqualification case: Why the repeated deferments in the Olympic medal case by CAS is a good sign for the Indian wrestler? Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
