Nada clears Narsingh Yadav, says he’s a victim of ‘sabotage’
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 and circumstance, 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.
“If any of the concerned parties (including the athlete, WFI, UWW, IOC and Wada) are not happy with the decision, then they can appeal at CAS within 21 days,” the Nada DG said.
But Narsingh’s counsel Vidhuspat Singhania didn’t seem worried about the appeal. “Let them appeal. I don’t think it’s going to affect his Rio participation as the process will take some time,” he said.
Under the rules, Narsingh has to undergo a reinstatement test before boarding a flight to Rio. But Mr Agarwal said: “There will be no such test on him. He is clear of all charges from the Nada panel. So if the federation sends him to Rio then he is as good as any other athlete at the Games and will go through the same procedures as others including dope tests.”
