After Narsingh Yadav’s chances of travelling to Rio Olympics looks to be shattered following a failed dope test, the little possibility of Sushil Kumar, who fights in the same 74kg category, making the Rio cut instead of him was ruled out by an official in the Wrestling Federation of India on Monday.
He said as far as his knowledge is concerned the late athlete replacement can be made possible only on the medical grounds as the last entry for the Rio Olympics was over on 18th of July.
“There is no chance of Sushil replacing Narsingh as far as I know,” the official said. “The last date for sending the entry list is on 18th July and its long over. If an athlete is to be replaced after the specified date, we have to do so only with the permission of the international body as well as the organizers. However, as far as I know it can only happen if it is in the medical grounds, but this is a doping case so another athlete cannot be replaced in that slot,” he added.
Contradicting to the statement, WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh still believes India can field a replacement athlete. “WFI will consult with the chief coach and take his opinion on who is fit to go. In India, we have a huge talent pool and I am sure someone good can replace Narsingh. If Narsingh fails to clear his test,” Brij Bhushan said in PTI. Meanwhile, Narsingh’s coach Jagmal Singh remains hopeful of his lad clearing the case in Wednesday’s final hearing. “Why would such a well reputed sensible wrestler who has to represent the country in Olympics will make such a thingIJ Why would he intake anything that would not allow him to represent the country,” he asked.