Narsingh Yadav cleared of dope taint, heads for Rio to participate

New Delhi: The suspense over the Narsingh Yadav doping controversy finally ended on Monday, with the National Anti-Doping Agency’s disciplinary panel clearing the wrestler of all doping charges.

In a first-of-its-kind decision since the agency was set up in 2009, Nada panel ruled that there was no fault or negligence on Narsingh’s part, but that he was a victim of “sabotage”.

The outcome ended more than a week of drama after the wrestler had tested positive for anabolic steroid methandienone in a June 25 test, and opened the doors for Narsingh to board a flight to Rio de Janeiro to join the Indian Olympics squad.

Reading out the operative part of the judgment, Nada director general Navin Agarwal said, “The panel concludes that the athlete deserves the benefit of Article 10.4 of the anti-doping rules of Nada, as there is no fault or negligence on his part and he is a victim of sabotage done by a competitor. Keeping in view the facts, the panel exonerates the athlete from charges of violating anti-doping rule of Nada.”

Relieved after the decision, Narsingh said: “This has been the toughest fight of my life. I want to forget the entire episode now and solely focus on winning a medal at the Olympics.”

The big battle won, Narsingh still needs to meet further requirements before availing the quota he secured with a bronze at the World Championships last December, in Rio.

The athlete’s Olympics participation will now need clearance from the United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee. With the World Anti-Doping Agency taking a zero-tolerance approach to doping, Wada is expected to appeal Nada’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sports. He has to undergo a reinstatement test before boarding a flight to Rio.

Rio 2016: Narsingh Yadav back in ring
Narsingh Yadav could hardly contain his smiles while leaving the National Anti-Doping Agency offices here on Monday after winning his “career’s toughest battle”, not on the mat but before a hearing panel.

Like his supporters who grew louder and louder through the day, Narsingh said he knew “justice was going to happen. And it was done. Like always, truth won.”
“The last 15 days has been mentally very tough for me and my family. I have never ever taken anything and I am happy that the Nada panel accepted my innocence. Now I am targetting a Rio medal, that is the reason why I kept practising and never left my training,” he added, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for their support.

Right after the verdict, the Wrestling Federation of India called a press conference to clear the air on Narsingh’s Rio Olympics participation. “I can assure you that Narsingh is going to Rio. I had always told you that he is innocent and it’s a conspiracy and today’s decision has proved it ... Doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani ho gaya,” Brij Bhushan said.

WFI secretary general Vinod Tomar said they were hopeful that the United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee would give the green signal to Narsingh’s participation at the Games.

“We are going to write to the UWW about the decision and send them a copy of today’s order. We expect that they will allow Narsingh to take part in the Games (in place of Parveen Rana). They have always backed us and our athletes. Like last time (when they gave us an extension for a late replacement), I hope they accept our plea,” said Tomar.

Narsingh will head directly to Rio to join his fellow wrestlers who reach Brazil on August 10. The competition starts from August 19. “He will train here till then, not in the SAI centre but with his coach Jagmal and support staff in Mumbai.”

The decision, that came after a two-day hearing by the three-member disciplinary panel, is believed to have been taken under political pressure with Modi taking interest in the saga.

‘Factual Submission not disputed’
Meanwhile, Narsingh counsel Vidushpati Singhania said they were able to prove how the banned substance was introduced under Nada Code Rule 2.1 and that its was sabotaged (under Rule 10.4) as he had exercised utmost caution as an international athlete.

Elaborating on the order, the Nada DG said that the athlete’s claims were supported by “ingestion of the prohibited substance in the present facts of matter appears to be one time.”

The panel also took both dope tests (June 25 and July 5) as single offence as the “report of the first sample taken on June 25, was not known to the athlete till the collection of the second sample on July 5”.

“The panel is also satisfied about the utmost caution exercised by the athlete in ensuring that no prohibited substance enters his body. It is not disputed.”

He added that the athlete’s factual submission that he failed to take due caution on his amino drink during practice on June 23 and 24 are not disputed. “It is the opinion of the panel that while practicing on the mat it is almost impossible to keep a watch on the drinks and that this cannot be held as failure on the part of the athlete”.