Narsingh gets clean chit, ticket to Rio stamped

The anti-doping panel NADA has cleared Narsingh Yadav, a wrestler in the 74-kgs freestyle category, of all doping charges, clearing his way for the Rio Olympics. 

A statement from the panel noted that the wrestler’s food supplements were properly locked in a room and were handled by 'trustworthy' people. However, the wrestler did not keep an eye on the 'amino drinks', which he took during practise sessions on 'June 23 and June 24.

The panel suspects that Narsingh had been a victim of a conspiracy, and choose to believe that he had not taken any illegal drugs wilfully, after taking into consideration his previous track record. 

The wrestler had failed both the doping tests conducted in the last week of June and on July 7. Also, experts believe that once anabolic steroids, the substance found in Narsingh’s urine sample, enters a body, the person will test positive for the drig for next three to four weeks.

 The 26-year-old wrestler from Maharashtra was selected for the Rio Olympics up over two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar.

Narsingh, a quota wrestler, already has a bronze medal to his name from last year’s world championship and hence selectors have high hopes from him.

Reacting to the news, Narsingh said, "I am grateful that Prime Minister  Narendra Modi helped me get justice. I hope to win a medal in Rio." 

On the other hand, the wrestler Praveen Rana, who had been named as Narsingh’s replacement, said in an interview earlier that Yadav should have been more careful.