Barely 10 days before the start of the Olympics, India has suffered a huge embarrassment as 74kg freestyle wrestler Narsingh Yadav failed a dope test conducted by NADA on 5 July.
National Anti-Doping Agency Director General Navin Agarwal confirmed that Narsingh’s ‘B’ sample also tested positive for a banned steroid and he appeared before a NADA disciplinary panel on Saturday.
Yes, he (Narsingh) tested positive for a banned steroid. His B sample was also found to be positive. Narsingh was personally present when his B sample was opened. He appeared before a disciplinary panel yesterday. The panel sought for more reports regarding the matter. We will proceed further and I am hoping that the panel will proceed quickly. Till then we will have to wait.Navin Agarwal, Director General, National Anti-Doping Agency
Asked if Narsingh will miss the Rio Olympics, Agarwal said:
It is too early to comment in that regard. We will try to complete the whole thing quickly. I cannot speculate on that.Navin Agarwal, Director General, National Anti-Doping Agency
Interestingly, Narsingh was selected for the Rio Olympics in controversial circumstances as double Olympic medallist Sushil Singh had also staked his claim to represent the country in 74kg freestyle.
But Narsingh was favoured as he had earned the Olympic quota in the World Championships last year.
Narsingh had to fight a lengthy legal battle with two-time Olympic medallist Sushil, also in the same category, to get the chance to compete for India at the Olympics.
After the entire Sushil-Narsingh episode, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has got new questions to answer.
Can India replace Narsingh in the Indian wrestling Olympics team now even though the last date for sending the list of entries was 16 July?
The Sports Ministry also issued a statement to confirm a failed dope test by a wrestler but desisted from giving out Narsingh’s name.
One wrestler has been detected by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) as dope positive. The panel has asked NADA for some further reports. After these reports are received, the panel would hold further hearing in the matter. ADDP is headed by a legal expert and includes doctors and sportspersons.Sports Ministry’s Statement
Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, on the other hand, ruled out the possibility of Sushil benefitting from the episode, saying that the last date for sending Olympic entries, July 18, is well behind them now.
As far as Sushil Kumar is concerned, I think there is practically no chance for him (to replace Narsingh). Everything is closed as far as entry of athletes is concerned.Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association
(With inputs from PTI.)
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