In what will come as a big relief to India’s ace wrestler Narsingh Yadav, the Olympic-bound athlete has been given a clean chit by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) which also overturned the provisional suspension imposed on him in connection with the alleged doping case.
The NADA disciplinary panel stated that the one-time ingestion by Narsingh was not within his knowledge and strengthens his claim.
The panel further stated that it is impossible to keep a watch on drinks while playing and is not the athlete’s fault.
It also stated that the two-time Olympic medallist Narsingh is a victim of sabotage done by a competitor.
Soon after the declaration by the NADA, Narsingh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people and the media for supporting him.
"I thank the public, media and everyone who supported me and stood by the truth," the wrestler said.
"I want to congratulate Rajeev Mehta and the Indian media. I am sure Narsingh Yadav will go to Rio and win a medal for India," " says said Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, president of WFI.
Narsingh's chances of participating in the upcoming Rio Games came under a cloud last Sunday when he returned a positive result for a dope test conducted by the NADA on June 25.
The 26-year-old's 'B' sample also tested positive for a banned substance, jeopardising his chances of competing in what will be his second Summer Olympic Games.
Following this, the Mumbai-based grappler, who was selected to represent the country in the men's 74kg freestyle category ahead of two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, was handed a provisional suspension.
He ran into further trouble on Wednesday after it was announced that a second test conducted on July 5 has also returned a positive result.
Narsingh had claimed of a conspiracy to frame him and had filed a police report in this regard, although he refrained from naming anyone.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhishan Sharan Singh had alleged on Tuesday that two junior wrestlers from the Chhatarsaal Stadium had mixed banned substances in his food.
However, it is still unclear whether Narsingh will go to the Rio Games, starting on August 5, and India will be represented by Parveen Rana in his place.
