World wrestling body clears path for Narisingh's Rio participation

The world's apex wrestling body, United World Wrestling (UWW), on Wednesday gave the green light to India's Narsingh Yadav for participation at the Rio Olympics, starting on Friday, after the country's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) gave a clean chit to the grappler.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) had communicated to UWW on Monday that NADA has cleared Narsingh of all doping-related charges and the 26-year-old would be re-included in the Indian team for the 74 kilogram competition.

WFI confirmed on Wednesday that UWW has given its go ahead to Narsingh' for the Rio Games.

Narsingh, who bagged the quota with a bronze medal finish in last year's World Championships, first returned positive for a banned steroid following a NADA dope test on June 25.

But NADA exonorated him of all doping charges, saying he "was a victim of sabotage done by a competitor".

"We immediately wrote a letter to the world body to reconsider Narsingh's name in 74kg category after he was given a clean chit by NADA. Today I am really delighted to announce that UWW has reverted back saying that Narsingh will be allowed to participate in the Olympics," WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh confirmed.

"Now they just need a confirmation letter from us and we have already sent it. So, there should not be any problem as far as the world body is concerned about Narsingh's participation."

However, Narsingh's route to Rio can only be cleared after World Anti-Doping Agency completes its review of the NADA panel verdict. WADA can challenge NADA verdict at the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).

--IANS

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