WFI admits that Narsingh Yadav’s Rio dreams are over

ByArun S Kaimal, SportsCafe Editor

07/30/2016

Although the much-awaited verdict on Narsingh Yadav’s dope scandal is still not out, WFI officials have admitted that the grappler is unlikely to go to Rio, even if he is cleared. The NADA panel is still going through documents of the case and is likely to announce the verdict on Saturday or Monday.

Narsingh, who won bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in the 74kg category, had failed a dope test earlier this month, inflicting a big blow to India’s chances of winning a medal in the category. The wrestler and his coach alleged sabotage but failed to prove it in front of the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) disciplinary panel. After the conclusion of the two-day hearing, NADA counsel had said on Thursday that the verdict on the case will be announced on Saturday or August 1 (Monday). However, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) officials have admitted that even if Narsingh is declared clean, he is unlikely to board the flight to Rio after going through a tough last ten days.

The kind of mental stress he has undergone in the last 10 days cannot be undone in even 10 months. Olympics is not just another tournament, you need both physical and mental strength to perform well there."

Unnamed WFI official

“The kind of mental stress he has undergone in the last 10 days cannot be undone in even 10 months. Olympics is not just another tournament, you need both physical and mental strength to perform well there. We believe in his innocence but we also admit that we do not feel he is in any shape to be a strong medal contender any more. What we want now is to ensure that he comes out of this mess and starts working towards the 2020 Games,” a federation official said, reported Sportstarlive.

“He is talented and only 26, there is a lot of wrestling left in him still. We want him to strive for the Tokyo Games, get a medal there and prove himself to the world,” the official added.

The WFI and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had said before that the wrestler will represent India at Rio, if he is cleared of all charges.