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On Tuesday, August 13, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) further pushed back the date of verdict in Vinesh Phogat’s plea for a joint silver medal in the women’s 50kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 29-year-old Phogat, who became the first Indian woman athlete to enter the final of the women’s 50kg category was disqualified ahead of her gold medal match after she breached the permissible limit of weigh-ins.
However, she appealed on two counts in the CAS, her first appeal was rejected while a verdict on the second is due to be announced now on August 16. Although, the CAS deferred the decision on Tuesday, one of her lawyers, who is presenting the case on behalf of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) along with senior counsel Harish Salve, Vidushpat Singhania said that everyone is hopeful for the case coming in favour of the Indian wrestler.
"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," Vidushpat Singhania told ANI.
"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. Let's all pray for Vinesh. Let's hope she gets a medal. Even if she doesn't get it, she is a champion," Singhania further added.
Will welcome her like a gold medallist: Uncle Mahavir Phogat hopeful on CAS’s verdict in favour of Vinesh
While the wait simply got longer of CAS’s verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s joint silver medal, her uncle Mahavir Phogat too remains hopeful of the decision to come in favour of the 29-year-old. He added that although they are ready to accept whatever the decision comes, but hopes to end it on a positive note.
"We have been waiting for this decision for the last 4-5 days and the decision was supposed to come on 8th. We are hopeful that she will get a silver medal...We will welcome her like a gold medallist. We will try our best to convince her to take back her decision (of taking retirement) and start preparing for the 2028 Olympics," Mahavir Phogat told ANI.
Watch uncle Mahavir Phogat's speak on CAS deferred verdict on Vinesh Phogat case
