The ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), on Friday, heard the appeal of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat against her disqualification from the Olympic finals for being 100gm overweight on the morning of her final against Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the USA, who eventually won the gold in the event.
Senior advocates Harish Salve and Vidushpat Singhania represented Vinesh Phogat who appeared before CAS virtually. The wrestler pleaded that she be given a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez as she was within the prescribed weight limit during her bouts on Tuesday.
The hearing lasted for nearly three hours.
IOA statement
After the hearing, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) insisted that it is hopeful of a "positive resolution".
"Indian Olympic Association remained hopeful of a positive resolution of wrestler Vinesh Phogat's application before the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her failed weigh-in," the association said in a statement.
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"Since the matter is sub-judice, IOA can only state that the Sole Arbitrator Dr. Annabelle Bennett AC SC (Australia) heard all parties applicant Vinesh Phogat, the respondents United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee as well as IOA as an interested party over three hours."
Sole Arbitrator Annabelle Bennett indicated that the operative part of the order may be expected soon and the detailed order with reasons will be delivered later, the IOA said.
CAS response after hearing
The ad-hoc division of CAS, set up especially for dispute resolution during the Games, said that a decision can be expected before the end of the Games on Sunday.
"The applicant initially sought a decision from the CAS ad-hoc Division annulling the challenged decision and ordering another weigh-in before the final match as well as a declaration that she be declared eligible and qualified to participate in the final. However, she did not request urgent interim measures," the CAS said in a statement.
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It said it was not possible for a decision on the merits to be issued within an hour as the respondent, United World Wrestling, would have had to be heard.
"The procedure is, however, ongoing and the applicant has confirmed that she seeks the annulment of the challenged decision and that she requests to be awarded a (shared) silver medal."
IOC reacts
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach wondered where one would draw the line after allowing small concessions in situations like Vinesh Phogat's.
Ruling out the possibility of a joint silver medal, Bach said, "If you ask generally about having two silver medals in one category then my answer is no. There are the regulations of the International Federation that have to be followed and the International Federation, United World Wrestling was taking this decision..."
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"Looking at the federation or anybody to take such a decision, when and where do you make the cut? Do you say with 100 grams, we give it but with 102(grams), we don't give it anymore?
"What do you do then in sports where you have differences of one-thousandths of a second (in track events)? Do you also then apply such deliberations," Bach asked.
