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Bajrang Punia's Olympic quota in jeopardy as anti-doping agency suspends wrestling hero for failing drug test

Gautam Sodhi
Authored By Gautam Sodhi
Published: May 04, 2024, 22:21 IST | Updated: May 04, 2024, 22:21 IST
Bajrang Punia's Olympic quota in jeopardy as anti-doping agency suspends wrestling hero for failing drug test

UWW suspends Bajrang Punia until end of 2024 after NADA's suspension

India’s wrestling hero Bajrang Punia could not feature at this year’s Paris Olympics after the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended him from participating in Olympic Qualifiers over failing to provide a urine sample for a drug test. Such developments threaten to end Punia’s bid for Summer Games qualification in July this year.

“With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, you are immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter,” NADA said in its communication dated23 April, as per The Tribune.

Per NADA’s orders, if this decision stays, Bajrang, who wonbronze medal at the Tokyo Games three years ago, could be barred from competing at selection trials scheduled for next month. Although none of the Indian wrestlers have thus far secured a quota in the 65kg category for the Paris Games, Sujeet Kalkalis slatedto represent the country at the World Qualifiers in Istanbul fromMay 9.

It’s important to know that a few months ago, Bajrang allegedly usedan expired dope collection kit in a video posted on his social media handles. Per reports, Bajrang refused to comply with the order of the officer in-charge, arguing that NADA officials didn’t respond to his concerns on time.

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Moreover, per the dope collector officer’s report, Bajrang was informed beforehand that his refusal to submit the sample could lead to him breaching the anti-doping rules.

“Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give a dope sample,” the DCO’s report stated.

How can Punia still qualify for Paris Games?

Following receiving a provisional suspension notice from the NADA, Bajrang has time till Tuesday (May 7) to provide a written explanation for refusing to submit the sample and, based on that, a final decision on whether he must be allowed to compete in an Olympic quota would be out.

“If youdoaccept the consequences,the case will be resolvedwithout further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree,the matter will be referredfor adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel,” the letterreads.

Besides, Bajrang was among the top wrestlers, including Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik and wrestling veteran Vinesh Phogat, leading the protest against former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over countless alleged charges of sexual harassment over the years.

Replying to his suspension on his social media handle, Bajrang clarified that he never refused to give his sample to NADA and that he continues to seek answers for his alleged remarks on the useof expired doping kits.

Here is the video -

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