Ahead of Rio, wrestler Narsingh fails dope test, claims conspiracy

Roommate Sandeep also fails test, wrestling federation backs Narsingh

TWO INDIAN wrestlers, Narsingh Yadav and Sandeep Yadav, both roommates at the Sports Authority of India’s Sonepat centre, have failed dope tests conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

While Narsingh’s test result has dealt a blow to his hopes of competing in next month’s Olympic Games, Sandeep, also from Mumbai, is not part of India’s contingent to Rio. Both tested positive for methandienone, an anabolic steroid, sources said, adding that the tests were conducted on June 25.

NADA director-general Naveen Agarwal confirmed the test results of 26-year-old Narsingh, who won bronze at the 2015 World Championships to seal his Rio berth at the expense of two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. “I can’t confirm or deny if another wrestler’s sample has returned positive,” said Agarwal.

“It’s a conspiracy against me. My roommate Sandeep Yadav, too, has tested positive for the same substance. We used to train together and eat together. He wasn’t even going for the Olympics. Why would he do it? This shows something isn’t right,” Narsingh told The Indian Express.

When contacted, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)

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Narsingh Yadav