No other Rio-bound athlete has tested positive: NADA DG

National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) director general Naveen Agarwal on Tuesday confirmed that no other Rio-bound athlete barring wrestler Narsingh Yadav and shot putter Indejeet Singh, has tested positive for banned substances.

Agarwal, however, expressed concern that many other athletes, who are not part of the Indian contingent for Rio Olympics have tested positive.

Agarwal, who refrained from naming Inderjeet, said track and field athletes are more vulnerable to dope and the agency continues to test them regularly as a precautionary step.

"We usually keep testing all the athletes so that they can pay attention. Compared to other athletes, track and field athletes are more prone to doping violations," Agarwal told a news channel on Tuesday.

"No other Rio-bound athlete has tested positive but there are many other athletes who have tested positive," he added.

Barely 10 days ahead of the quadrennial extravaganza in Brazil, Narsingh's dope test came positive on Sunday, jeopardising India's chance of a medal in the 74kg weight category. The 26-year-old Mumbai-based grappler, however, claimed was a conspiracy against him.

Narsingh, who has been provisionally suspended as of now, will get a chance to prove his innocence when he faces the NADA disciplinary panel on Wednesday.

On being asked about Narsigh's chances, Agarwal said: "He was given a first hearing on Monday. We took his viewpoint, there is another hearing within a day or two. Only after that things will be clear."

India's medal prospects took another jolt on Tuesday, when 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist shot putter Inderjeet was found positive for two banned substances -- androsterone and etiocholanolone.

Despite Agarwal not revealing his name, he said that the case will be clear once the 28-year-old's 'B' sample is tested.

If his 'B' sample also tests positive, he will miss the bus to Rio, reducing the Indian contingent further to 118.

"I can't disclose the name of the athlete and can't rule out whether he is going to Rio or not. It will be clear once his 'B' sample is tested and it is negative," Agarwal said.

--IANS

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