New Delhi, Aug 1: In surprise chain of events and a big relief to wrestler Narsingh Yadav, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on Monday (Aug 1) gave clean chit to the Rio-bound wrestler.
Narsingh fails dope test; Olympics Special Site
This move has now paved way for the 26-year-old wrestler to participate in the Rio Olympics 2016 in 74 kg weight category. The panel ruled that the Maharashtra was a victim of "sabotage" and deserved the benefit of doubt.
Ending the suspense of the last few days, NADA DG Naveen Agarwal read out a statement clearing Narsingh, leading to wild celebrations among his supporters.('Narsingh may have been tricked')
"We kept in mind that in the past, till June 2, none of his samples were positive. It was inconceivable that one-time ingestion would be of benefit. Therefore the panel is of the view that the one-time ingestion was not intentional," Agarwal said while reading out the verdict.
Celebration outside NADA office as NADA gives clean chit to Narsingh Yadav to participate in #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/XimzT7q2K1
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2016
"The panel concludes that the athlete deserves the benefit of article 10.4 of the NADA's anti-doping code. Keeping in view that he was victim of a sabotage, the panel exonerates the athlete from charges of anti-doping rules of NADA," he added. ('Narsingh is innocent')
Narsingh, who had been replaced by Parveen Rana in the Rio-bound squad, was present at the NADA headquarters when the decision was taken today. But the Wrestling Federation of India today said Narsingh would now be brought back into the squad.
Celebration outside NADA office as NADA gives clean chit to Narsingh Yadav to participate in #RioOlympics2016 pic.twitter.com/bOzOqOHCq8
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2016
The NADA reached the conclusion after three days of marathon hearings last week during which Narsingh's lawyers argued that the wrestler had been sabotaged by rivals.
I stand vindicated, thankful for everyone: Narsingh
Soon after the ruling in his favour Narsingh thanked everyone for the support during troubled days.
"I am thankful to everyone for helping me get justice," Narsingh told media persons.
Narsingh had even filed a police complaint, naming two fellow wrestlers, one of whom is a 17-year-old. Narsingh had returned positive for methandienone -- a banned anabolic steroid, following which he cried foul, claiming that the entire episode was a conspiracy against him.
NADA's legal team had also given its arguments against the sabotage theory before the disciplinary committee, stating that the responsibility of keeping his system dope free lay with Narsingh.
#NarsinghYadav is very happy with NADA disciplinary panel's decision: WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh pic.twitter.com/miOpDBxJPC
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2016
The panel had summoned two cooks on the request of Narsingh's lawyer Vidushpat Singhania on Saturday to verify the theory of his food being contaminated.
Earlier, the argument put forth by NADA was that Narsingh was not eligible for remission, which he had been asking for, because he failed to establish that he did not commit any fault or negligence.
OneIndia News
(With inputs from agencies)