New Delhi: The Wrestling Federation of India seems in no mood to send a “late replacement” in the 74kg weight category wrestling event at the Rio Olympics, which is barely 10 days away. This means if Narsingh Yadav, whose Rio dreams is virtually over after being caught doping for methandienone on June 25, fails to convince the National Anti Doping Agency disciplinary panel on Wednesday, there will be no Indian representation in the category.
Speaking to this paper, Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajiv Mehta said that they had got an extension to send a late entry from the Rio Olympic organising committee. “We are awaiting a replacement from the WFI, but they don’t seem interested to send any. It’s the last date today to send the name after we were given an extension,” Mehta said.
It has been learnt that the WFI had earlier sent Jitendra’s name (as reserve) in the provisional list for 74kg weight category. Interestingly, the federation didn’t send any names when they learnt about Narsingh’s positive dope test on July 16.
It is learnt that Nada had specially opened its office on July 16, a Saturday, and informed the WFI about Narsingh’s test result giving the federation two days time to decide on a replacement before the July 18 deadline for sending entries for the Games.
The International Olym-pic Committee rules allow a late minute replacement on medical or exceptional circumstances. However, Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Saran Singh said he didn’t know about the test result until July 19, a day after the entry deadline is over.
But Nada director general Navin Aggarwal told this paper: “We have notified the wrestler, Wada, international wrestling federation (Fila) and the WFI on the same day, i.e. July 16. So there is no question that WFI wasn’t kept in the loop.” Later in the day, WFI president met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the matter.
He further said that the morale of the entire Rio-bound wrestling team was low following the fiasco. The team — scheduled to travel Georgia this week — are reluctant now.
