The ad-hoc division of CAS on Tuesday prolonged the suspense surrounding the outcome of Vinesh Phogat’s appeal, extending the deadline for delivering its decision until August 16 without providing specific reasons for the continued deferment.
This marks the third postponement in the case, with no explanations given. In her appeal, Vinesh has requested that she be awarded a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had been defeated by Vinesh in the semifinals but advanced to the final due to the Indian wrestler’s disqualification.
Throughout the two-week plus Summer Games in Paris, CAS has been actively involved, making several notable decisions that have kept the institution in the spotlight. Some of these decisions include:
- Prior to the commencement of the Paris Games, CAS delivered a fast-track verdict, imposing a four-year doping ban on Tunisian Greco-Roman wrestler Amine Guenichi, effectively preventing him from participating in the Olympics.
- CAS upheld an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), resulting in the exclusion of Romanian long jumper Florentina Iusco from competing at the Paris Olympics due to a positive test for a banned substance.
- On the opening day of the Paris Games, three Brazilian track and field athletes successfully won a CAS court ruling, allowing them to compete despite Brazil’s substandard anti-doping program. Shot putter Livia Avancini, race walker Max Batista, and sprinter Hygor Bezerra had been initially blocked by the Athletics Integrity Unit but appealed to CAS, which upheld their legal challenges in a fast-track ruling.
- CAS dismissed Canada’s appeal against their football team’s points deduction at the Paris Olympics amid a drone scandal. Defending champions Canada were penalized six points, while coach Bev Priestman and officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were banned from any soccer-related activity for one year by FIFA after New Zealand complained that Canadian staff flew drones over their training sessions before their opening match.
- Brazil’s football legend Marta lost her appeal against a two-game ban at the Paris Olympics. CAS stated that its judge hearing the urgent case dismissed the application by Marta and the Brazilian team. FIFA had imposed the two-game ban on the Brazil captain for the red card she received in a group-stage 2-0 loss to Spain for a foul on Olga Carmona.
- CAS dismissed a protest by the Italian Swimming Federation over the ejection of Francesco Condemi from Italy’s quarterfinal loss to Hungary in the men’s water polo tournament at the Paris Olympics. The 20-year-old Condemi was excluded for a violent action with 2:22 left in the second quarter.
- CAS voided an on-floor appeal from Jordan Chiles’ coach that vaulted her to third, stating that the appeal came 4 seconds beyond the one-minute time limit for scoring inquiries. USA Gymnastics disputed the timing, claiming that they submitted video evidence to CAS showing Team USA coach Cecile Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) elevated Ana Barbosu of Romania to third. The International Olympic Committee confirmed the ruling, announcing that it was reallocating the medal.
What is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent institution designed to resolve sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation. CAS operates under procedural rules tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of the sports world, offering a specialized platform for athletes, teams, and sports organizations to seek fair and impartial resolutions to their conflicts.
Even after the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, all eyes remain on CAS as it prepares to deliver its much-anticipated verdict on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal, a decision that could significantly impact the wrestling star’s legacy and the ongoing discourse on fairness in sports.
