WADA appeals against Narsingh's clean chit to add to woes

India's floundering campaign in the Rio Olympics here took a turn for the worse when the World Anti-Doping Agency lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sports against the clean chit given to wrestler Narsingh Yadav by NADA in the dope scandal back home.

"WADA has appealed against the NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) clearance in Court of Arbitration (CAS). Now the hearing is on and the IOA Secretary General (Rajeev Mehta) is there with WADA officials," Indian contingent's chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta told PTI.

If CAS upholds WADA's appeal Narsingh, who is scheduled to fight in the 74kg freestyle category on August 19, will not only be able to take part in the Games here but could also face a career-threatening four-year ban.

Enduring a disastrous campaign thus far, the medal-less Indian contingent was pinning its hopes mainly on shuttlers P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth, besides its wrestlers - including world championship bronze medal winner Narsingh - to end the drought before the disheartening development.

Ten days of action have failed to bring India, that won a record six medals in London four years ago, a single podium finish and there's growing desperation to end this poor run.

India's campaign now has been reduced to three disciplines - track and field, badminton and wrestling - after the flop show put up by the contingent in other sports.

Its woes continued on day 11 today when Hardeep Singh lost 1-2 in his opening encounter against Turkey's Ildem Cenk in the Greco-Roman 98 Kg class.

And adding to the miserable run was the news that some of its contingent members were served only "peanuts" at a dinner party organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports here on Independence Day, after having skipped dinner at the Games Village.

Now Sindhu is the person the country will look upto later today to provide the spark as she faces a formidable opponent in world no. 2 and London Games silver medallist, Wang Yihan, for a place in the semifinals and a step closer to the podium.

The lanky shuttler from Hyderabad and Srikanth, who made it to the men's singles quarters, are the only two medal contenders left in the competition after the shock elimination of last Games bronze medallist and former world no. 1 Saina Nehwal two days ago.