Narsingh Yadav’s Olympics Over? WADA Appeals Against Clean Chit

The appeal hearing is on the 18th of August, just one day before his bout.

Narsingh Yadav’s Olympic dream may well be truly over.

After receiving a clearance from the National Anti Doping Agency following his positive dope test conducted on June 25, the Indian wrestler’s Rio participation has now been put in doubt with the World Anti Doping Body appealing against the clean chit.

WADA has appealed against the NADA clearance in Court of Arbitration (CAS). Now the hearing is on and the IOA Secretary General (Rajeev Mehta) is there with WADA officials

Rakesh Gupta, India’s Chef-de-mission in Rio

Narsingh was supposed to begin his campaign in Rio on August 19 but now faces the prospect of a career-ending four-year ban if the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) upholds WADA’s appeal.

We came to know about the appeal yesterday and we have replied through our lawyer yesterday itself. Now 18th is the hearing. We have a strong case.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President - Wrestling Federation of India

In controversy that has dragged on for over a month, the World Championships bronze-medallist claims that his positive dope test is a result of a conspiracy by rivals. A theory that was accepted by NADA which exonerated him after a hurried appeal. It was alleged by Narsingh that his food or drinks might have been spiked with the banned substance by rivals. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had also backed him fully during the controversy.

The latest setback marks another chapter of turmoil in Narsingh’s career. He had been in the eye of storm ever since he was picked ahead of double-Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who dragged the matter to court demanding a trial to pick the best man to represent India in the 74kg category.

The court as well as the WFI rejected his demand following which Narsingh’s Olympic bid was derailed by the dope scandal. He managed to get the NADA and WFI backing in time to board the flight to Rio but could well be grounded for good if WADA’s appeal is upheld by CAS.