The alleged conspiracy in the Narsingh Yadav dope scandal began to unravel on Wednesday when the wrestler identified two fellow grapplers as the saboteurs who contaminated his food with a banned steroid, in a formal police complaint.
Narsingh filed an FIR at the Sonepat Police Station naming two fellow wrestlers, one of them a 17-year-old, and persisted with his demand for a CBI probe into the scandal that has sent shockwaves into the Indian sporting fraternity.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) also continued to back Narsingh but announced that Parveen Rana would replace him in the squad for Rio de Janeiro, a move that was approved by the sport’s world governing body United World Wrestling.
I have always maintained that there has been a conspiracy against me. If I am cleared of the charges, I will go to Rio. I have identified the boy who was seen contaminating my food. I have given a detailed complaint to the police. I feel even officials are involved because I am not being provided the CCTV footage.Narsingh Yadav
Narsingh himself desisted from taking names but WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh revealed them while talking to the media.
We suspect Jitesh, who fights in the 75kg category, and Sumit. Both of them live in Chhatarsaal. And one of them has admitted to spiking Narsingh’s food. I can’t speak on the conspiracy and can’t say whether they did this on their own or on someone else’s asking. We cannot investigate this but we support Narsingh’s demand for a CBI inquiry.Brij Bhushan Sharan
Sports Minister Vijay Goel, on the other hand, stuck to his stand that the government will abide by international rules when it comes to deciding on Narsingh’s trip to Rio in the aftermath of the controversy.
If nothing is found in the food supplements then it will be considered a positive dope test. He was told not to train in Sonepat and all Olympic-bound athletes were given the option of customised training.Vijay Goel
Earlier, the WFI sent Rana’s name to replace Narsingh, putting an end to the speculation surrounding double-Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar’s chances.
Narsingh had been picked ahead of Sushil after he won the quota place with a bronze medal in the World Championships.
Freestyle wrestler Rana, who won a gold medal in the 74kg category at the Dave Schultz Memorial wrestling tournament in USA in 2014, has replaced Narsingh provisionally. If Narsingh proves his innocence at the NADA disciplinary panel hearing on Wednesday, then the wrestler will be heading to Rio.
United World Wrestling informed the Indian Olympic Association last week that since the positive test occurred outside of the qualification event they would be allowed replace Yadav with another wrestler, or else vacate the qualification spot. The Indian Olympic Association informed United World Wrestling of their desire to enter Parveen Rana as their nation’s replacement at 74kg in men’s freestyle.United World Wrestling’s Statement
Narsingh’s parents, relatives and neighbours performed a day-long dharna at Achgara village in Varanasi on Tuesday. They want a high-level inquiry into Narsingh’s failed dope test. They are also planning to hold a Mashal rally to seek support from local residents and protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office in Varanasi on 30 July.
The dharna began at 2pm and continued till evening. Over 200 people participated.
It is a clear conspiracy against my son Narsingh. We demand for high-level inquiry into the matter or CBI investigation because it is a big conspiracy by the people who do not want my son to participate in Olympic Games. We are also sending a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding for inquiry into the matter.Pancham Yadav, Narsingh’s father
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