Narsingh Yadav's NADA Hearing to Continue on Thursday As Rio Hopes Diminish - 10 Facts
Narsingh Yadav has failed two dope tests. The National Anti-Doping Agency is hearing the wrestler's defence after he complained of foul play. Narsingh was a contender in 74 kg freestyle category of Rio Olympics.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: July 27, 2016 11:23 pm IST
Narsingh Yadav's hearing will continue on Thursday after no decision was taken by Wednesday evening by the National Anti-Doping Agency. His chances of representing India in wrestling at Rio Olympics is increasingly looking bleak after he failed a second dope test on Wednesday. The freestyle grappler's claim that his food supplement was spiked has also been found untrue, according to sources.
Wednesday's hearing lasted three and a half hours during which Narsingh's lawyers said that the wrestler was a victim of a conspiracy.
"We have put Narsingh's argument. We have full faith in the NADA panel. We are trying to convince them. We are hopeful he will be exonerated. NADA panel is helpful.
"We have presented our argument today and panel was very patient and we had a very fair hearing. NADA will present their case tomorrow," Narsingh's lawyer Vidushpat Singhania.ÂÂ
Earlier, Narsingh was involved in a court tussle with two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, but won the Wrestling Federation of India's (WFI) vote to represent India at Rio. The doping controversy has, however, shattered Narsingh's dreams.
Here are 10 developments to the wrestling controversy:
1. Narsingh Yadav, a 74 kg freestyle wrestler, failed a second dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on July 5. He had earlier failed a test carried out on June 25. He was a top medal contender at Rio Olympics.
2. Narsingh's chances of competing in Rio now looks bleak after failing the second test. The NADA panel heard Narsingh's lawyers on Wednesday and is expected to reach a decision by Thursday evening.
3. Narsingh had tested positive for banned anabolic steroid - methandienone. If Narsingh does not get the green signal from NADA, Parveen Rana has already been named as his replacement.
4. Sushil Kumar, in same weight category as Narsingh, was also vying for a spot in Rio team. But Narsingh was given preference over the two-time Olympics medallist because it was he who won the quota place for Rio, while Sushil was injured for most part of the season.
5. The 2015 World Championship bronze medallist alleges that a 17-year-old wrestler contaminated his food at the SAI Centre in Sonepat. Though the food supplement which Narsingh was taking has subsequently been found to be clean.
6. Narsingh now also alleges that the CCTV footage of the young wrestler spiking his food is not available because a SAI administrator is involved in the conspiracy. "Narsingh hasn't given a written complaint, but through the media he has raised doubts about an official. And that official is still present at the facilty. I don't think that is right. The ministry isn't there to protect officials," said WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said.
7. DIG Sonepat HS Doon has made it clear that Narsingh's complain is still an allegation. "We haven't arrested anyone so far. Only a case has been registered against the accused. We will investigate the matter before taking any action," Doon said.
8. London Olympics bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt also backed Narsingh and said he was innocent.
9. Narsingh Yadav also demanded a CBI probe into the doping scandal. Also, WFI president met Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the issue.
10. Haryana sports minister Anil Vij has claimed the state government had no control over the activities of the SAI centre even as the state police has been asked to complete its probe into the doping scandal surrounding Narsingh.