Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore today found himself at the centre of controversy with his name being dragged into a "failed" dope test that was conduced before the Athens Games way back in 2004.
In the 2004 World Cup in Bangkok, Rathore had tested positive for 'A' sample, but the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) cleared him after the double-trap ace returned negative for his 'B' sample.
The surfacing of the issue after a gap of nine years has surprised Rathore, who felt it was the handiwork of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) whose April 6 elections were declared "null and void" by the Delhi High Court last month.
NRAI challenged the decision of the single judge who had allowed the plea of Rathore that the election was a "sham and be quashed" as he was denied an opportunity to contest.
"The events of today are a clear attempt to defame me to divert attention from Hon HC decision of nullifying NRAI elections. To rake up a non issue from 9 years earlier is vendetta and a last ditch attempt to protect the stranglehold over the NRAI," Rathore said in a statement.
"In 2004 the highest officials of the ISSF were absolutely convinced about my credibility and had cleared me. I am amazed at the resistance of a few NRAI officials to allow free and fair elections. These things won't stop like-minded athletes from trying to clean up Indian sports," the 43-year-old Colonel added.
Claiming that Rathore's allegations were baseless, NRAI President Raninder Singh said that the body was "with" Rathore in 2004 and continues to "support" him even now.
"This is baseless. All I can say is that we are always with the athletes. We were with him back in 2004 and we are with him now," Raninder said.
