Olympic Silver medallist Sushil Kumar expressed his thoughts about the recent turn of events involving wrestler Narsingh Pancham Yadav who has tested positive for prohibited substances in a dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Kumar is very disappointed and termed the incident as “unfortunate”.
Narsingh is doubtful about his participation in the Rio Olympics next month, and his fate is going to be decided on a NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) hearing on his case this Wednesday.
Also Read: Narsingh Yadav doesn't deserve all this scathing, premature criticism
There is still uncertainty over Kumar participating in the upcoming Olympic Games, but he says he is always there to support and help other wrestlers. As per a post on a social networking site, the 2012 Delhi-born wrestler said, “After winning two Olympic medals for my country, I always wished to win a third for India. I am out of practice for the last one month, but now I am supporting my fellow wrestlers and want them to win medals in the Rio Olympics and make the nation proud.”
Narsingh Yadav is a gold medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the 74kg category. The wrestler has denied any wrongdoing, pleading innocence. He also hinted at the possibility of a conspiracy to prevent his entry to the Rio Olympics. After the doping test news made headlines, many started to speculate about Sushil Kumar’s chance to fill Narsingh’s berth but that prospect was blown away by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
As per a social networking site, Sushil Kumar was quoted saying, “I am very upset with what is happening, I fully support Narsingh Yadav and will continue to back him. Coach and federation are also responsible for the diet players take. I was never in running for Olympics, why my name is being dragged. I was going for a family holiday abroad. I have no grudges against Narsingh. No question of me going to Olympics. I was shocked to hear the news of Narsingh's involvement.”
The president of IOA Mr. N Ramachandran Srinivasan shot down any chances of Kumar flying to Rio and said India’s quota will go empty. The last date for the sending the final list of athletes for the Rio Olympics was July 18.
As per the reports of Zee News India Srinivasan said, “If Narsingh is barred from participating in Rio Games there is no chance of Sushil going instead. He did not qualify in the trials and so such theories that Sushil camp has jeopardised Narsingh's Rio dreams has no base.”
In the inaugural edition of the Pro Wrestling League, Narsingh was roped in by the JSW group based Bangalore franchise as their marquee player for a whopping Rs. 34.50 lakh.
The Rio Olympics will get underway in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on 5th August 2016 with India sending the largest Indian contingent ever in an Olympics.
