Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most prominent wrestlers, has taken her fight beyond the mat and into the legal arena at the Paris 2024 Olympics. After being disqualified by United World Wrestling (UWW) due to a failed second weigh-in just before the Women’s Freestyle 50kg gold medal match, Phogat lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On August 9, 2024, CAS’s ad-hoc division officially registered her appeal, marking a critical juncture in her Olympic journey. Phogat’s initial plea sought the annulment of her disqualification, a redo of the weigh-in, and a declaration of her eligibility to compete in the final match. However, she has since adjusted her request, now seeking the annulment of the decision and a shared silver medal in the event.
The case has been assigned to Dr. Annabelle Bennett, AC SC, acting as the Sole Arbitrator. With the Olympics drawing to a close, a decision is expected before the Games conclude on August 11, 2024. Senior advocate Harish Salve, alongside a team of four pro bono lawyers from the Paris Bar, is leading Phogat’s legal team in this high-stakes battle.
The CAS ad-hoc division, established in Paris specifically for the Olympic Games, will be the stage where Phogat’s fate is decided, adding a dramatic legal chapter to her Olympic saga.
