Hopes have been raised for Vinesh Phogat, who was out of the Olympics due to being 100 grams overweight. After repeated requests, senior advocate Harish Salve has agreed to represent Vinesh Phogat in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). He has taken this decision at a time when the Indian team is struggling for a hearing. The hearing on this case is scheduled at 10 am local time (1:30 pm Indian time).
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has requested additional time to appoint a lawyer for Vinesh Phogat’s appeal before the CAS. Vinesh had appealed against her disqualification on two counts. The first was to allow her to re-weigh, which was rejected by the court. In the second appeal, she was hoping for a silver medal. CAS has said that it will deliberate on the matter.
CAS has given the Indian team time till 9:30 pm tonight to finalise its legal representation. A department of CAS has been set up in Paris to resolve any dispute arising during the Olympic Games. This is where the hearings take place.
Let us tell you that Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight before the gold medal match in the 50 kg wrestling category on August 7, is facing a legal battle. Her appeal to weigh in for a second time was rejected, but there is still hope as she seeks to overturn her disqualification or get a silver medal for her performance.
According to the report, four lawyers from Paris are currently representing Vinesh Phogat. The IOA is hopeful of a favourable outcome as soon as Harish Salve agrees. However, the matter may not be resolved immediately and may drag on.
