No chance for Sushil Kumar; India’s quota will go empty if Narsingh fails to go to Rio

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

07/24/2016

There have been suggestions that double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar will get a chance to represent India at Rio after Narsingh Yadav reportedly failed a dope test. But IOA President N Ramachandran shot down the speculation and said that the quota will go empty, if Narsingh fails to make it.

Narsingh, who won bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in the 74kg category, had reportedly failed a dope test and is facing an uncertain future about his Olympic participation. After the news came out today morning, the social media has been abuzz about the possibility of Sushil Kumar getting a chance to make it to Rio, but if Indian Olympic Association President N Ramachandran’s words are anything to go by then there is no chance for the double Olympic medallist.

If Narsingh is barred from participating in the Rio Games, there is no chance of Sushil going instead. He did not qualify in the trials and so such theories that Sushil camp has jeopardized Narsingh's Rio dreams has no base."

N Ramachandran

"If Narsingh is barred from participating in the Rio Games, there is no chance of Sushil going instead. He did not qualify in the trials and so such theories that Sushil camp has jeopardized Narsingh's Rio dreams has no base," Ramachandran said to TOI on Sunday.

The IOA President added that they will follow whatever National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) asks them to do.

"It will be very unfortunate if Narsingh doesn't go to Rio because he is in good form and would have been a strong medal contender. As for IOA, we will do what NADA asks us to. If the body says that he cannot represent India, he won't be sent," the IOA president said.

Meanwhile, Narsingh’s coach Jagmal Singh alleged that there is conspiracy behind the wrestler’s failed doping test.

The news of Narsingh having failed the test has come as a huge shock for us. I am sure it's a conspiracy to defame and sabotage my wrestler's chances."

coach Jagmal Singh

“The news of Narsingh having failed the test has come as a huge shock for us. I am sure it's a conspiracy to defame and sabotage my wrestler's chances,” coach Jagmal Singh told TOI.

"The report of his 'A' sample test came out positive, so we requested for a 'B' sample test immediately. We were told yesterday that even that was positive," explained Jagmal. "I really don't know what is going on. First, we had to prove ourselves when Sushil Kumar put forward his case to go to Rio. Now, this has happened," said the coach.

Also, read : 2016 Olympics | After six medals in London, how many will India achieve in Rio?