‘Bhagat Singh or Inderjeet Singh, Whoever Speaks Out is Targeted’

A voice silenced? Inderjeet is claiming his test was tampered with since he has spoken out often against the system

‘The strongest man in India’ is what Inderjeet Singh’s fans call him. One look at his Facebook wall and you know he is loved. Well wishers sending him luck for Rio, the athlete himself sharing videos wishing fellow Rio-bound Indians well for the two big weeks next month.

That is, till Tuesday morning.

‘A clear case of conspiracy. I am being targeted.’ is the one update from him at 9 am.

Inderjeet Singh’s Rio dream is all but over. He has failed a drug test conducted on 22 June. Two banned substances androsterone and etiocholanolone were found in his sample.

The reigning Asian Champion in shot-put, the first Indian track and field athlete to qualify for the Rio Games still has the option of clearing his ‘B sample’ but the damage is done. His name has been dragged into a dope controversy, his training has been disrupted.

Why?

I used to speak out for all the athletes in the last 2-3 years. I raised my voice against the system and let everyone know about the difficulties we face in India. I am a medal contender in Rio. They knew if I won a medal, I would bring the injustice to light.

The 6 foot 3 giant was reduced to tears while speaking to CNN-News18 in a telephone conversation, but not before he clarified his stand in Indian sports’ latest controversy.

I found out on Monday night that I had failed a dope test. I was checking my mail and saw the mail. The system has never supported me. I always asked for help but no one came forward so when I tried to bring the apathy to light, even then only 1-2 people came forward to support me. I know I am being victimised. 

Inderjeet Singh, Indian Shot-Putter

While Inderjeet’s positive dope test result is the second such case in Indian sports just this week, with wrestler Narsingh Yadav also failing a test, the athlete’s reaction is on the same lines. He denied any wrongdoing on his part and claimed he was being punished for speaking out.

This is a conspiracy but I don’t how this happened. Something is wrong but how it happened or why it happened, I cannot say. Only doctors can now answer those questions. One thing is for sure, Bhagat Singh or Inderjeet Singh, whoever speaks out in this country is always targeted. This is the only way in which you can destroy an athlete in this country.

Inderjeet Singh, Indian Shot-Putter

The one big allegation being brought to light by voices within Indian sport was that Inderjeet had regularly avoided being tested by NADA. An allegation that the shot-putter simply rejected.

I have given more than 50 tests in the last year. They have tampered with my test because they think I will speak out again. I have given interviews expressing my fears that something like this would happen. NADA has taken 4-5 tests of mine in the last month and a half and it was problematic and I spoke out against it as well. I am ready to die for the country and I will fight this to the end.

Inderjeet Singh, Indian Shot-Putter

Inderjeet still has the option of giving his B sample for testing. If cleared, he can continue his Rio campaign. However, if the ‘B’ sample also tests positive, Inder will have to not only miss the Rio Games but also face the prospect of being banned for four years under the new WADA Code.