The dust has not settled on the Indian wrestler getting tested positive for the banned anabolic substance another Rio-bound shot putter Inderjeet has tested positive crying foul as conspiracy. Indian sports it looks is going through a bad patch. The ban coming after Russia’s near impossible presence in the Rio Games on the same charges shows how much importance of performance enhancing drugs play in today’s game. On the other hand javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra broke the junior world record to become the first Indian to win a title in this category at the World Under-20 athletics championship and no stigma attached in the title win. Wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who was a medal hopeful for the Indian Olympic contingent in the 74 Kg freestyle wrestling category tested positive and has been provisionally suspended for six months. With Narsingh out in the race who was picked up ahead of seasoned Sushil Kumar after a murky Court battle, it is up to the battle-hardened Yogi to salvage India’s reputation. The 33-year old is heading into his fourth, and possibly last, Olympics and also as one of the only three Indian medalists from London 2012 to be heading to Rio. He is no longer the quiet, shy boy who emerged from the Akharas of inner Haryana to burst onto the scene when he won the gold medal in the 55 kg freestyle category at the 2003 Commonwealth Games at the age of 20. Though Yadav has alleged conspiracy behind the ban what’s truly worrying is that the Wrestling Federation of India knew about Yadav’s failed test on17th July. Even though it could have named his replacement by 18th July, it did not do so. However, some experts contend that since Yadav is guilty of a doping violation he cannot be replaced and looks India will have no representation in the 74 Kg category. The whole episode shows India’s sports system in extremely poor light and blame goes to the parent body and the administrators who have remained blind to the fact throughout.
