Wrestler Narsingh Yadav’s Olympic campaign on Tuesday hit a massive roadblock after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to appeal against the clean chit given to him by NADA in a dope scandal.
“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,” Indian contingent’s chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta told PTI.
Narsingh was supposed to begin his campaign on August 19 but now faces the prospect of a career-ending four-year ban if the CAS upholds WADA’s appeal. He had tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid — Methandienone — in tests conducted on June 25.
The World Championships bronze-medallist had claimed that he was victim of a conspiracy by rivals, a theory that was accepted by NADA which exonerated him after an appeal.
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 the CAS.
