The long-drawn soap opera featuring wrestler Narsingh Yadav finally came to an end on Monday as the 26-year-old was cleared of all doping charges. The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) gave Yadav a clean chit, accepting his claim that had been sabotaged. Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh confirmed that Yadav will travel to Rio de Janerio for the Summer Olympics, which begin on August 5.
A relieved Yadav said after the verdict, "I am thankful to everyone for helping me get justice. I want to go to Rio and win a medal. I thank the public, media and everyone who supported me and stood by the truth." Singh said, "We're sure Narsingh Yadav will go to Rio and win a medal for our country."
Yadav, along with his roommate at the Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, Sandeep Yadav, had both tested positive for a banned substance and were provisionally suspended. Narsingh Yadav cried foul, claiming in a police complaint that it was another wrestler sabotaging his prospects of going to Rio. Meanwhile, the Indian Olympic Association went ahead and named Parveen Rana as his replacement.
Monday's verdict was cheered by fellow wrestlers Yogeshwar Dutt and Sushil Kumar, who had challenged Yadav's quota position for India in the Rio Olympics.
However, despite NADA's go-ahead, it is not official that Yadav will be participating in Rio. The WFI will now have to approach the Rio Olympics organising committee and United World Wrestling (UWW) to inform them of Monday's verdict and request them to allow Yadav to compete.
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