JOIN USThere seems to be no end to Narsingh Yadav’s ordeals. The 74-kg wrestler, who was cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) hearing panel after a positive dope test, is in fresh trouble.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to file an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the NADA panel’s decision.
The appeal came up for hearing on Tuesday at the CAS ad hoc panel based in Rio for the Olympic Games. Narsingh sought time till August 18 to state his case and it was granted by the court.
“We received a letter from WADA informing us of their decision to file an appeal. We have sought time and the CAS has agreed to it,” said Rakesh Gupta, the chef de mission of the Indian contingent here.
The WADA move came on expected lines, but it puts the Indian in a real quandary. Narsingh’s bout is scheduled for August 19, and if the verdict goes against the wrestler, India won’t have any representation in the category. Even if Narsingh is cleared, it remains to be seen in what frame of mind he will go in for the event.
The World Championship bronze medallist had to fight a court case filed by fellow 74-kg contender Sushil Kumar before confirming his Olympics berth, but he then failed a dope test conducted on June 25, testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
Narsingh maintained that the test was a result of sabotage, an argument that was accepted by the NADA panel. The Indian camp said they were optimistic of getting Narsingh cleared. “We are confident with the evidence we have, the WADA appeal will be rejected,” an Indian official said.
At the CAS, based at the Windsor Hotel here, Narsingh was accompanied by IOA secretary Rajeev Mehta and Wrestling Federation of India president Brijbhushan Sharan Singh.