New Delhi: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its verdict on the appeal filed by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who seeks to be awarded a silver medal after being disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympic finals due to being "overweight." The ad hoc division of CAS has extended the deadline for the Sole Arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett, to announce a decision until 9:30 PM IST on August 11, 2024. A detailed order is expected to follow at a later date.

In a statement, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) indicated that CAS had initially set the deadline for August 13 but has now moved it up to 6:00 PM on August 11 for a decision. The IOA expressed hope for a positive resolution, stating, “The Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) has heard all parties—including Vinesh Phogat, United World Wrestling (UWW), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and IOA—over a span of three hours.”

Notably, Harish Salve, a prominent Indian lawyer, is representing the IOA in the CAS hearing concerning Phogat's disqualification. The UWW President, Nenad Lalovic, had previously denied any exceptions for Phogat after she was disqualified just before her final match for being 100 grams overweight. Phogat's appeal argues that since she reached the finals before the weigh-in issue arose, she should be awarded a silver medal, alongside the other wrestler who received it due to her disqualification.

Phogat has filed two appeals with CAS regarding her disqualification. The first was rejected, but the second was accepted for consideration. The CAS heard the case on August 9, and although the initial report suggested a verdict would be issued by August 10, the decision has now been delayed by one day.

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