CAS registers Vinesh’s appeal against disqualification

Paris: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has officially registered the application filed by Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat in response to a contentious decision by United World Wrestling (UWW), CAS said in a statement.

Phogat’s appeal challenges UWW’s decision to disqualify her from the gold medal match in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. After her disqualification, Phogat requested the CAS to award her the silver medal.

Phogat’s application, registered at 16:45 Central European Summer Time (CEST) on August 7, 2024, addresses her failed second weigh-in prior to the scheduled gold medal bout, which was set to commence at 18:15 CEST the same day. The application requests the annulment of the Challenged Decision, a new weigh-in before the final match, and a declaration of eligibility for participation. Phogat has also sought a shared silver medal if the annulment is granted, the statement said.

The CAS has said that, despite the urgency of the matter, a decision on the merits could not be issued within the hour due to the need to hear UWW’s side. The CAS Ad hoc Division procedure is expedited, but the case is ongoing.