July 24, 2016 6:28 PM

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Wrestler Narsingh Yadav fails a dope test; Narsingh claims innocence

India's Olympic buildup was dealt a huge blow today as wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who was selected ahead of the celebrated Sushil Kumar, failed a dope test. However, he insisted that the scandal that has jeopardised his Olympic participation is a conspiracy against him.Asked if Narsingh will miss the Rio Olympics, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Navin Agarwal said, it was too early to comment in that regard. Narsingh, on his part, claimed innocence, saying that thescandal was a conspiracy against him. His coach and support staff also backed Narsingh, saying they suspect that his food might have been contaminated.Sources in the Wrestling Federation of India also cried foul, claiming that the entire episode seems to be an attempt at sabotaging the wrestler.Narsingh, a former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist, had to fight a lengthy legal battle with Sushil to get the chance to compete for India at the Olympics. The Sports Ministry also issued a statement to confirm a failed dope test by a wrestler but desisted from giving out Narsingh's name.Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta ruled out the possibility of Sushil benefitting from the episode, saying that the last date for sending Olympic entries, July 18, is well behind them now. Narsingh's sponsors JSW Sports also backed the 26-year-old. Sushil's mentor Satpal Singh, meanwhile expresseddisappointment with the controversy and said Sushil would be ready to step in if need be in the Olympics.

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