Narsingh Yadav has failed two dope tests so far, but the Indian wrestler is still hopeful that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will give him the nod to participate in the Rio Olympics 2016. NADA has not been able to come to a final decision, with the verdict verdict postponed to Saturday or Monday.
After having tested positive, the Rio-bound athlete has been stressing on the point that his food supplements and drink might have been spiked. But, Narsingh's camp have not been able to bring any sort of evidence to prove foul play.
"They filed an affidavit that his drinks or water was spiked but they did not produce the evidence to prove it to satisfy NADA and WADA," Press Trust of India quoted NADA's lawyer Gaurang Kanth as saying.
"The argument by NADA was that he is not eligible for remission which he has been asking. Narsingh did not produce the relevant circumstantial evidence that there could have been sabotage as had been claimed by them," Kanth said.
The Wrestling Federation of India are supporting Narsingh to the hilt as well.
It is imperative that the NADA comes up with their verdict as early as possible, with the Rio Olympics exactly a week away. In case, the wrestler is barred from participating, the WFI has already announced his replacement, Praveen Rana, who has for long remained in the shadow of Sushil Kumar and Narsingh in the 74-kg weight category. Praveen has only got a chance to participate in events where the two celebrated werestlers have not taken part.
Though his future still remains uncertain, Narsingh is still undergoing his daily training, hopeful of getting a Rio ticket.
"I am continuing with my practice and am still hopeful that I will be able to go to Rio. I have been framed. It was a conspiracy against me. I have never ever doped in such a long career," Narsingh said.
