Sakshi Malik brought a lot of cheer for India after winning the bronze in the Women’s 58kg freestyle category on Wednesday, but the sport seems to be making the news away from the ring as well. That is largely down to Narsingh Yadav, whose participation in the 74kg category still remains in question, with just a day to go for his first bout
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has challenged the clean chit that was given to him by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), filing an appeal with the Court for Arbitration for Sport, in relation to the doping scandal that had dominated the headlines prior to his departure to Rio.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), who have backed the wrestler all through, have once again come out in open support for Narsingh, asking whether all this was a joke and adding that certain sections of the media were creating stories to ruin his career.
“We have done our homework. Narsingh has come in Rio de Janeiro only after he was given the green signal from the International governing body. Is it some kind of a joke?”, the president of the federation, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said on Wednesday.
"It's all creation of a section of media who want to end his career. He will very much compete and return with a medal,” he added.
He further said that Narsingh has been allowed to enter the Olympic village on merit, and that anyone whose name is not cleared cannot do so.
"As a matter of fact, an athlete is not allowed inside the Olympic Village unless his name is not cleared. He's got a valid athlete accreditation as his name is cleared for the 74kg men's freestyle competition,” he said.
The secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Rajeev Mehta said that they will fight till the end and that they were living in hope now.
“We're left with two options – either to take two days time and fight the case, or a time of one-month for reply which would have jeopardised his career. His fate will now be decided on 18 August. We will fight till the end.
“We will reply on the basis of merit, let's hope for the best. This is the best option we're left with and now we are living in hope,” he said.
Narsingh’s hearing will be held on Thursday at around 11 am at a hotel in Rio. Mehta will be there and the wrestler's legal counsel Vidushpat Singhania will also be a part of the hearing via video conference.
The opening match of the Men’s 74kg category is scheduled for Friday.
