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’As of now, Narsingh has no chance to go to the Rio Olympics. It is an open and shut case.’
'Both of Narsingh's A and B dope samples have returned positive. He has been placed under provisional suspension and so we now have 119 athletes.'
Sports Minister Vijay Goel has hinted that Narsingh Yadav's prospects of participating in the Rio Olympics is virtually over, but said the wrestler will be given a fair chance to defend himself.
He also made it clear that Narsingh's dope case will be dealt with as per international rules, with the strict implementation of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code.
In his introductory remark before a press conference, Goel said India will be represented by 119 sportspersons (from earlier 120) in the Rio Olympics.
"NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) is an autonomous body established under the WADA Code to promote clean sports and check doping. In Narsingh's case, we will ensure that WADA Code is implemented. We are committed to the WADA Code," he said while announcing the 'Run for Olympics' programme, to be held in Delhi on July 31.
The run from the National Stadium to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Both of Narsingh's A and B dope samples have returned positive. He has been placed under provisional suspension and so we now have 119 athletes. That's why I said India will be represented by 119 athletes," the minister said, when asked if Narsingh still has a chance to make the trip to Rio.
"The NADA has disciplinary panels to deal with doping cases. He (Narsingh) will get a fair chance to defend himself and present his case before these panels. There will be justice under the rules and beyond that there is nothing much we can do in this case," said the minister, who took charge this month.
Asked to comment on Narsingh's allegation of conspiracy by others to frame him, Goel replied: “He has not said it to us. We don't know."
Goel evaded a question whether the government will agree to a probe on the issue, as demanded by Narsingh.
"Law will take its own course and we cannot do anything. Let the NADA panel deal with the case and then we will see," he said.
Top Sports Authority of India officials were furious that Narsingh has talked about a conspiracy to frame him after both his samples returned positive for an anabolic steroid. They said Narsingh's case is an open and shut case.
"What does he mean by conspiracy? All food supplements provided at SAI Centres are given after testing and that too by the federations. Does he mean to say that SAI is involved in contaminating the supplements with banned substances?" asked an official.
"He is in the dock now and he should first prove (that he is innocent) himself and then say all these things, like he has been framed and there was a conspiracy," the official said.
"Every athlete who has tested positive in the past has claimed that they are innocent and they are being framed. It is not new. We will see what the NADA disciplinary panel decides," added the official.
The official said, "As of now, Narsingh has no chance to go to Rio Olympics. It is an open and shut case. We have seen these kind of cases earlier. The (WADA) rules are very strict and it is very difficult to prove innocence in such cases.
"Likewise, there is also no chance for Sushil Kumar to represent India in Rio. It is over; the deadline for sending entries is over. India will not be represented by any wrestler in the 74kg freestyle."
Asked if there could have been swapping of dope samples, the official said, "I don't think this can happen. If he thinks it can happen, and if he writes to us officially alleging that it could happen, we have to do a DNA test and we are not saying that we will do it or not. But he has to first tell us that officially."
The official also rubbished Narsingh's allegations against a top SAI functionary at the Sonepat Centre.
"He (Narsingh) has not informed or written anything (against any SAI official) earlier when he thought there was something happening. But he is making a complaint just now, after the dope case."