Wrestling Federation Backs Dope-Tainted Narsingh Yadav, Believes It's Conspiracy

Narsingh Yadav, Rio Olympics-bound wrestler who failed a dope test, has got the backing of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The 74kg wrestler tested positive for a banned steroid.

WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said he believed Narsingh Yadav was victim of a conspiracy. He also revealed that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will hold its final hearing on Narsingh on Wednesday, where the wrestler will be present.

"He's (Narsingh) innocent. He's victim of a conspiracy," he said. "Narsingh has not got a fair deal. We will try that he gets to compete in Rio."

Narsingh has also given an official complaint to Wrestling Federartion of India. He has named a senior wrestler and official in the complaint, sources told NDTV.

"I have written a complaint to Wrestling Federation, telling them how I am been victimised. Somebody is behind it. I have WFI's backing and hopefully everything will be sorted out and I will be able to go to Rio," he said.

Murky incident

Brij Bhushan also revealed an incident at the Sport Authority of India, Sonepat, when an unknown material was added to the cooked food. Narsingh had been training at the centre, of late. His roommate Sandeep Tulsi Yadav has also tested positive for the same banned steroid as Narsingh.

"On June 5, when the food was being cooked (at SAI, Sonepat), a boy was spotted adding things to it. The incident was kept under wraps," he said.

"Narsingh's record is clean, he has never said no to dope testing."

The NADA conducted a random dope test on Yadav on July 5 at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) regional centre in Sonepat.

The report of his 'A' sample test came out positive. Later, he was called for his 'B' sample test, which also returned positive. Sources that he had returned positive for methandienone -- a banned anabolic steroid.

very unfortunate 2 see the Wrestling go through this. I hv given my life to ot
& wl always support fellow wrestlers pic.twitter.com/CUsbIGf8Gb

- Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) July 25, 2016

As a precautionary measure, WFI has stopped Yadav from travelling with the other Rio-bound men's freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers to Georgia on July 25 for a fortnight-long training-cum-competition programme.

The wrestlers were scheduled to leave for Rio directly from Georgia. It has also been learnt that Yadav's Rio Olympics accreditation card has also been recalled by WFI from the wrestler as the NADA hearing is on.

'WFI will go to any length'

The top official added that they were not backing Narsingh just because they had supported him when two-time Olympics medallist Sushil Kumar, also in the same weight category as him, had staked his claim for a spot at the Rio Games.   

"We are not part of any fight, court had decided on it. This is not Narsingh's fight, this is everyone's fight. We will go to any length to sort this out," he said.

Brij Bhushan added that they would go to any length to prove Narsingh's innocence. "I have informed United World Wrestling and World Anti-Doping agency. I have also informed Sports Ministry. We need to back our players not just Narsingh," he said.

(With inputs from Yash Chawla)