Vinesh Phogat's verdict postponed till August 16: What was the reason given by CAS for delaying it the third time

Vinesh Phogat leaves the Olympic Village in Paris (Source: X)

The wait for a decision on Vinesh Phogat's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extended as the Ad Hoc Division asked for another three days before reaching to a verdict. Vinesh has appealed for a joint silver in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling after being disqualified in the morning of her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics. A decision on the same was expected to be announced at 9:30pm IST on Tuesday, however, the CAS has now delayed it till August 16, 6:00 pm Paris time, which is 9:30pm as per IST.

CAS released a statement confirming the development. "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 16 August 2024 at 18h00 (Paris time)," it read.

What explanation did CAS give for the delay

The CAS stated that it was delaying the verdict under Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games. So what does Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules for the Olympic Games mean?

"The Panel shall give a decision within 24 hours of the lodging of the application. In exceptional cases, this time limit may be extended by the President of the ad hoc Division if circumstances so require."

What has happened so far

The matter has been hanging in the CAS division in Paris for almost a week. The grappler had lodged an appeal against her disqualification on Wednesday (August 7) and a decision on the same was expected by Thursday. However, the CAS released a statement on Friday (August 9) clarifying that while it didn't allow the wrestler for a second weigh-in after failing to meet the weight cut, or reinstated her in the gold medal bout, it did agree to hear Vinesh's plea for a joint silver. It was then reported that the final verdict can come anytime before the end of the Paris Games.

The CAS then released a statement on August 11, the final day of the Paris Games, saying a decision on the same will be taken on August 13 at 6 pm Paris time. It had allowed all parties involved (Applicant: Vinesh Phogat & Respondents: United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee) to submit their final applications by 6pm Paris time on August 11.

Why has Vinesh been disqualified

Vinesh was assured of at least a silver medal but was disqualified after failing to meet the weight cut on the morning of her gold medal bout against USA's Sarah Ann Hildebrandt. She was overweight by 100gms. The Indian wrestler had met the weight cut on the day of her initial bout, following which she stormed into the finals fair and square. She, however, measured 2.7kgs above the eligibility criteria in the same night, following which she underwent a rigorous schedule to shed the extra kilos, which ended in vain. The heartbreak also prompted Vinesh to retire from the sport, which she announced on 'X'.