Paris Olympics 2024: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against her disqualification from the wrestling finals at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian athlete was barred from competing in the womens 50kg final after exceeding the weight limit by just 100 grams. Despite this setback, Vinesh made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for an Olympic final, winning her semi-final bout with a dominant 5-0 score.Quest for SilverReports from India Today reveal that Vinesh is requesting that she be awarded the silver medal. The CAS is expected to deliver its final decision by tomorrow morning. Should the ruling favor Vinesh, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be required to present her with a joint silver medal.Understanding the role of CASEstablished in 1984, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent body that resolves sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, with additional courts in New York City and Sydney. Temporary courts are also set up in cities hosting the Olympics.CAS operates independently of any sports organization and is administratively and financially overseen by the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). It settles legal disputes in the sports domain by issuing arbitral awards that are as enforceable as ordinary court judgments. Additionally, CAS offers mediation services for amicable dispute resolution.Arbitration processArbitration panels usually consist of three arbitrators: each party selects one, and the President of the relevant division appoints the third. In some cases, a sole arbitrator may be designated.Final authority in sports disputesThe CAS often has the final word in sports disputes, with appeals permitted to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland under specific conditions. CAS plays a vital role in the international sports community by providing a specialized and efficient forum for resolving sports-related disputes.
