Suspense Over Vinesh Phogat's Appeal For Olympic Silver Medal Continues, New CAS Verdict Date Is...

The suspense of Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal for Olympic silver continues. Earlier, it was said that the verdict would come by Saturday, 9:30PM IST. It has now been deferred. In a chaotic turn of events on Satturday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) first stated that the verdict will be out on Sunday (August 11) before issuing a clarification to say that the outcome will be known by August 13.  Vinesh Phogat had appealed in the CAS against her disqualification from the women's 50kg free-style final of the Olympic Games for being 100 gram overweight.

An initial statement by the IOA said: "The ad hoc division of CAS has extended time till 6-00 p.m. on August 11, 2024, for the Sole Abritator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee to issue a decision. The reasoned order will be issued at a later date."

Later, the CAS released a fresh statement saying  the time limit for the panel to give a verdict was August 13. "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 13 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris Time)," the CAS said in a release.

Then the IOA also issued a fresh statement. saying: "The ad-hoc division of CAS has extended time for the Sole Arbitrator Hon. Dr Annabelle Bennett in the Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling & the International Olympic Committee matter to give a decision till 6-00 p.m. on August 13, 2024.

"The reference to August 11 in the earlier communication sent by me was to the time given to all parties to present any additional documents before the Sole Arbitrator."

Meanwhile, Japanese Olympic champion Rei Higuchi offered his support to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was debarred from her final in the Paris Games for being 100gm above the prescribed limit. Higuchi, the gold-medallist in men's 57kg freestyle event, was eliminated from the qualifiers of the Tokyo Olympics three years ago for being overweight by just 50gm. He eventually even lost a playoff bout and could not compete in his home Olympics despite being highly rated even at that time. 

"I understand your pain the best. Same 50g. Don't worry about the voices around you. Life goes on. Rising from setbacks is the most beautiful thing. Take a good rest," Higuchi, who defeated India's Aman Sehrawat in the 57kg freestyle category semifinals en route his gold, wrote on X while commenting on Vinesh's retirement announcement.

Before his gold in Paris, Higuchi had won a silver in the 2016 Rio Games.

"I have passed through a setback and despair, but I managed to succeed by believing myself. Still, I don't think I could've won the gold medal with my efforts alone," Higuchi was quoted as saying by 'Japan News' as he looked back at the Tokyo debacle for which he blamed his fondness for junk food at that time.

With PTI inputs