WFI stands behind Narsingh one eve of CAS hearing

Rio de Janeiro, August 18   

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday stood firmly behind dope-tainted Narsingh Yadav, whose fate in the Rio Olympics would be determined by the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) here tomorrow.

WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh today said Narsingh has every chance to compete in the Olympics.

“We have done our homework. Narsingh has come here only after he was given the green signal from the International governing body. Is it some kind of a joke?” Singh told PTI at the wrestling venue of Carioca Arena 2, on the eve of Narsingh’s hearing.

“As a matter of fact, an athlete is not allowed inside the Olympic Village unless his name is not cleared. He’s got a valid athlete accreditation as his name is cleared for the 74kg men’s freestyle competition,” he pointed out.

Asked about the speculation of Narsingh facing the prospect of receiving a career-threatening four-year ban, the WFI chief said, “It’s all creation of a section of media who want to end his career. He will very much compete and return with a medal.”

It has been learnt that the hearing is postponed by two hours and will be held at 11 am local time at an undisclosed city hotel here tomorrow.

Asked whether Narsingh would be present at the hearing, Singh said: “He has weight-in around the same time here tomorrow.”

IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta along will be there during the trial which will be fought by Narsingh’s legal counsel Vidushpat Singhania via video-conference from New Delhi.

Narsingh got clearance from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on the basis of a sabotage theory to his positive dope test but it was challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which had moved the CAS to determine the fate of 2010 Commonwealth Games champion.

Narsingh will now have to eagerly wait for the CAS verdict a day before his bout. — PTI