India's shot putter Inderjeet Singh on Thursday said that he is innocent and has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in his doping case and let him fly to Rio Olympics to take part in the competition.
Inderjeet, a bronze medallist in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, was the first Indian track and field athlete to qualify for the ongoing Games.
The 28-year-old Inderjeet's out-of-competition test was done on June 22. He was found positive for two banned substances androsterone and etiocholanolone.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) then asked Inderjeet to get his 'B' sample tested immediately as time for Rio Olympics was running out, which he also failed.
According to the new rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Inderjeet also faces the prospect of a four-year ban besides missing the Rio Olympics.
Inderjeet, however, earlier claimed innocence and said it was a conspiracy against him.
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"The doping cloud which I have been put under has caused me great anguish and mental agony. I wish to reiterate that I am completely innocent. From the very first day I have been saying that this is a conspiracy against me, and now certain new things have come to light that clearly indicate the same," Inderjeet said in a statement.
"There are now conflicting reports regarding the same sample - earlier stating that the dope test conducted on me on 29th June was negative and later saying that the same sample has returned positive."
"I have worked extremely hard for the last 15 years to reach this level. Now I request our PM Narendra Modi Ji to intervene in this matter and send me to Rio at the earliest. My competition is on August 18 and I don't want to miss this opportunity to represent my country in the Olympic Games," Inderjeet added.
--IANS
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