The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has accepted Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Olympics, with the hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. local time in Paris today.
Phogat, who reached the final of the women’s 50kg freestyle wrestling event, was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit during the weigh-in on the day of the final.
Following her disqualification, Phogat announced her retirement in an emotional social media post. She then filed an appeal with the CAS, which is an international body that resolves sports-related disputes through arbitration.
At 3 p.m. Paris time, the CAS accepted Phogat’s appeal and instructed her to appoint legal representation for today’s hearing, set for 10 a.m. local time (1:30 p.m. IST). The Indian government has requested that renowned lawyer Harish Salve take on the case. Salve or another lawyer must be appointed by 6 p.m. Paris time, with the appointment confirmed to the CAS before the hearing begins.
The Indian contingent requested additional time to appoint a lawyer, after which the CAS granted an extension until 9:30 p.m. IST on Thursday. Efforts are underway to bring Harish Salve, who has previously represented the BCCI in significant cases, on board. He is expected to represent the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) virtually during today’s hearing before the CAS.
Phogat submitted two appeals to the CAS: first, to be allowed to compete in Thursday’s final, and second, to be awarded a joint silver medal. Her first appeal was rejected prior to the final, but her second appeal is under consideration.
Despite one of her best performances in the Games, the 29-year-old’s Olympic dreams were shattered. She defeated defending champion Yui Susaki of Japan in the first round, marking Susaki’s first-ever loss in international competition, breaking her unbeaten record of 82-0. Phogat then advanced through the quarter-final and semi-final, where she defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who eventually won the silver medal following Phogat’s disqualification. Guzman went on to face Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States in the final, losing the bout on Wednesday.