The ruling on Vinesh Phogat's medal case is not expected until August 16

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has once again delayed its verdict on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea regarding her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. This marks the third time CAS has extended its decision timeline, with the verdict now expected on Friday, August 16, 2024, by 9:30 pm IST. 

Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the women's 50kg gold medal match after failing to meet the weight requirements on the second day of the weigh-in, initially challenged her disqualification and sought to be awarded a joint silver medal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified her after she was found to be 100 grams overweight, despite having cleared the weigh-in on the first day and winning three matches, including a notable upset against Japan's Yui Susaki.

The CAS ad-hoc division, which is responsible for arbitration during the Olympic Games, has cited Article 18 of the CAS Arbitration Rules, allowing the extension of the time limit for the decision due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the case. This delay has left Vinesh and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) waiting anxiously for a resolution.

In the midst of this legal battle, IOA chief PT Usha defended the role of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who faced criticism on social media after Vinesh missed the weight on the day of her final. Usha emphasized that it was ultimately the responsibility of the athlete and her coaching team to manage the weight requirements.

The situation has also sparked broader discussions about the fairness of the Olympic weigh-in rules. American wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs has called on United World Wrestling to reconsider its regulations, suggesting a 1kg weight allowance for the second-day weigh-in and advocating for both semi-finalists to be awarded Olympic medals, rather than relying on the current repechage format.

As the world waits for CAS's final decision, the case highlights the complexities and pressures athletes face at the highest levels of competition, particularly in an event as prestigious as the Olympics.