Narsingh cleared by UWW for Rio Games

Cleared by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), Narsingh Yadav on Wednesday got the go ahead from the United World Wrestling (UWW) to compete in Rio Olympics as he awaits a WADA clearance as well.

Narsingh, cleared by NADA on Monday, was awaiting response from UWW on the Wrestling Federation of India’s request to reconsider his name in the 74kg weight division.

“After Narsingh was given a clean chit by NADA, we immediately wrote a letter to the world body to reconsider his name in 74kg category. Today I am really delighted to announce that UWW has reverted back saying that Narsingh will be allowed to participate in the Olympics,” Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said.

“Now they just need a confirmation letter from us and we have already sent it. So, there should not be any problem regarding Narsingh’s participation as far as the world body is concerned,” he added.

However, the 26-year-old grappler would have to wait for some more time before boarding the flight to Rio as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had on Tuesday asked NADA to send the case file of Narsingh for a review.

After studying the case, WADA can appeal against a decision of Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel or Appeals Panel of any of its member countries to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) within 21 days.

If WADA appeals against the decision of the disciplinary panel at the ad hoc division of the CAS, specifically constituted to render decisions quickly during the Olympics, Narsingh may have to wait some more days to know his fate regarding his participation in the Rio Games.

The United World Wrestling, in its letter to the WFI, has confirmed that Narsingh is eligible to take  part in the upcoming Rio Games, starting August 5. “Mr. Narsingh Pancham Yadav is eligible to participate in any international competition from now on, including the Rio Olympic Games,” the UWW stated.

“The UWW realised that Narsingh earned the place for the Games during the UWW’s 1st qualifying phase. Now Indian Olympic Association is sending the name of Mr. Narsingh Yadav for Rio Olympic Games,” the statement added.