Indian shot putter Inderjeet Singh’s Olympic hopes took a major hit, after his B sample tested positive for banned substances, virtually ending all remaining chances of participation in Rio. The 28-year old's A sample also tested positive on June 22, which was an out of competition test. The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) immediately asked for a B sample test.
He was found guilty of using Androsterone, Etiocholalone, 5-a-Androstandeiol and Anabolic steroids. A cocktail of performance enhancing substances saw Inderjeet allege a potential conspiracy theory, similar to Narsingh Yadav’s situation. However, no proper case hearing has been done on the situation as yet. A source within Inderjeet’s camp said, “See, it is an obvious conspiracy, because if you see Inderjeet tested negative a few days ago and how can test positive again. He is someone who has never ever used banned substances, and he won’t do it a few days before Rio either. There are certain aspects about his case that has not been put forward. However, this particular test will force us to reveal details.”
“Inderjeet has asked for a chain of custody to see where his urine samples travelled, we will be going for article 10.4, which highlights conspiracy because it’s obvious. The hearing date is yet to be confirmed, but it won’t be before August 4, we are confident of Inderjeet’s innocence and our lawyers will do everything to prove it,” he said.
Former Shot putter Harjit Singh said, “There is some definite contamination of his urine sample. His urine sample tested positive and the main quesiton that we have is that why was his urine sample shifted from Bhiwani to Delhi, when it could have been tested in the Bhiwani Centre. There has been contamination, during the chain of custody and rest assured we can prove it.”
Inderjeet was the first Indian to qualify for the Rio Games, and won gold at the Asian Championships. With time running out, his lawyers are racing against time to prove the alleged conspiracy theory.
