Wrestler Narsingh fails second dope test ahead of NADA hearing

Embattled wrestler Narsingh Yadav's hopes of representing India at the 74kg event in next month's Rio Olympics received a major jolt after failing his second dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on July 5th.

On Monday, the 26-year-old grappler, who bagged the quota with a bronze medal finish in last year's World Championships, tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid on both his 'A' and 'B' samples.

Earlier in the day, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh confirmed that they had named Praveen Rana as a replacement for Narsingh.

However, Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel said that as per rules, no player in the Olympics squad can be substituted if he or she has been suspended for failing dope test.

Meanwhile, Narsingh has cried conspiracy, claiming that his food had been spiked.

Echoing similar views, the WFI chief had also backed Narsingh's claims of a conspiracy, after his sparring partner and roommate Sandeep Tulsi also tested positive for drugs.

Narsingh was selected for the Rio Olympics in controversial circumstances as two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar had demanded for trials to determine who should go to the games.

However, Narsingh was favoured for the same after fighting a lengthy legal battle with Sushil.

He will appear before a NADA panel on Wednesday in New Delhi for the final hearing.