Indian wrestler Narsingh Yadav's chances of competing in the Olympics continued to hang in balance after the completion of a CAS hearing into the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal against the clean chit given to him in a dope scandal by NADA.
Narsingh's name appeared in the official schedule released today after he underwent the regular weigh-in. He is scheduled to take on France's Zelimkhan Khadjiev in the qualification round but that would depend on the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) set to be out in the next three-four hours.
The embattled 74kg category grappler has maintained that his scandalous dope test was a result of conspiracy by rivals who spiked his food or drinks.
"We are very hopeful of a positive response. We have argued our case well. The meeting went on for four hours and the lawyers from WADA checked all the evidence and documents provided by us," IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta told PTI.
"We are now waiting for their verdict which will be sent out on email within three-four hours time. We cannot say about the verdict now. But we are positive that Narsingh will get to play his bout tomorrow," he added.
If he is cleared, it will be interesting to see how the World Championship bronze-medallist overcomes the mental trauma to give his best.
Having grabbed the quota by virtue of his bronze in Las Vegas 2015, Narsingh's road to Rio was fraught with obstacles after he was named to represent India ahead of double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar.
Sushil dragged Narsingh to Delhi High Court and a bitter courtroom tussle followed but the judgement went in latter's favour.
There was more drama in store for the Asian Games bronze-medallist after he returned positive for a banned steroid following a dope test in June by the NADA.
Narsingh's roommate at the SAI centre in Sonipat also tested positive for the same substance but WFI backed the Mumbai-based wrestler's claims of a foul-play.
Days before the Olympics, Narsingh was cleared of doping charges by the NADA who said the wrestler was indeed a victim of 'sabotage' and deserved the benefit of doubt.
However, his hopes were dealt a massive blow when WADA challenged the NADA's decision and moved the CAS amid speculation that the wrestler may face a ban up to four years.
Sandeep Tomar (57kg) is the other Indian wrestler in action tomorrow and has been drawn to face Russia's Viktor Lebedev in the pre-quarterfinal.
Having grabbed the quota by virtue of his World
Championships bronze in Las Vegas last year, Narsingh's road to Rio was fraught with obstacles after he was named to represent India ahead of double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar.
Sushil dragged Narsingh to the Delhi High Court and a bitter courtroom tussle followed but the judgement went in latter's favour.
There was more drama in store for the Asian Games bronze-medallist after he returned positive for a banned steroid following a dope test in June by the NADA.
Narsingh's roommate at the SAI centre in Sonipat also tested positive for the same substance but WFI backed the Mumbai-based wrestler's claims of a foul-play.
Days before the Olympics, Narsingh was cleared of doping charges by the NADA who said the wrestler was indeed a victim of 'sabotage' and deserved the benefit of doubt.
However, his hopes were dealt a massive blow when WADA challenged the NADA's decision and moved the CAS amid speculation that the wrestler may face a ban up to four years.
Sandeep Tomar (57kg) is the other Indian wrestler in action tomorrow and has been drawn to face Russia's Viktor Lebedev in the pre-quarterfinal.
