Wrestling body to take action against Narsingh if sabotage claim is not proven

Mumbai

The Wrestling Federation of India has been the biggest supporter of wrestler Narsingh Yadav ever since he failed a dope test late in July. The national body has not only accepted Narsingh’s allegations that his drink was spiked by someone trying to sabotage his Rio Olympics chances, but has also stood beside him ever since.

However, VN Prasood, the secretary of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has now said the governing body is open to taking action against the wrestler if his police case against the junior wrestler, who Narsingh claims spiked his food, is not proven in court.

“We’ll appeal to reduce the ban if the police can find the culprit and the court finds him guilty. Otherwise, we’ll also take action against Narsingh. We’ll act after a court action,” he said.

Prasood added that the association had actually expected WADA to give its decision after the Olympics.

“On August 18, we told the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) that he has to have his weight-in and medical. In the afternoon of the weigh-in CAS told him to give his weight for the completion and don’t worry about anything. So Narsingh gave a medical at noon and had his weight-in at 1:30 pm (Brazil time). His name was even there in the fixtures.

“That’s when we actually thought that if at all any action comes it will be after August 21. We thought that if they wanted to punish Narsingh after finding him guilty, they will take away the medal if he had won any. But at 8:30 pm in the night, CAS released their judgment,” he said, before making a tall claim that Narsingh would have won at least a silver medal if he had competed at Rio.

Prasood also said that the drug found in Narsingh’s system is not something athletes use, adding, bizarrely, that it’s a drug taken by people who are over 55 years of age to gain body weight.

“This is not a drug used by an athlete. It’s a drug taken by people who are over 55 years of age to gain body weight. Narsingh was already 76kg and he participates in the 74kg category. Why will he use it?” Prasood asked.

He also said that the WFI was not responsible for the mess.

“There is no fault on part of the federation. NADA is the final authority on doping in India, they gave Narsingh clearance. United World Wrestling and the International Olympic Committee also gave their nod for Narsingh’s participation. After getting these approvals, how could we have stopped Narsingh from going to Rio?

“Narsingh left the country for Rio on August 10. WADA didn’t do a thing against Narsingh until the August 13. We didn’t send him with our other wrestlers as we were waiting for WADA to make a move. But they didn’t do anything. If WADA wanted to appeal, why didn’t they appeal before the 10th?”