New Delhi:
Olympic medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia has claimed that he refused to supply urine samples throughout the choice trials in Sonepat in March as a result of the dope management officers did not furnish ample proof that they have been carrying correct gear to conduct the assessments. The Tokyo Olympic Video games bronze medallist mentioned he had solely demanded a proof from the officers as on one of many two earlier events, they (NADA officers) had include expired kits whereas throughout different time, they appeared with just one testing package versus the necessary three.
Bajrang, one of many nation’s most profitable wrestlers, was suspended by Nationwide Anti-Doping Company (NADA) on April 23 after being served a whereabouts failure discover on April 18.
On Thursday, wrestling’s world governing physique UWW additionally suspended him until the top of this yr following NADA’s resolution at hand him a provisional suspension for refusing to bear a dope take a look at on March 10 in Sonepat.
“That is to make clear that, I’ve at no stage refused to offer my pattern for doping management. On 10 March 2024, after I was approached by alleged doping management officers, I merely reminded them that the final two instances they got here to gather my pattern, that they had gotten expired kits as soon as,” wrote Bajrang on ‘X’ on Friday.
“…and on the opposite occasion, that they had approached me with a single testing package versus the three testing kits,” added Bajrang, who has been on the forefront of a protracted agitation in opposition to former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The grappler, who competes within the 65 kg class, mentioned he had sought a solution from the Dope Management Officers (DCO) on March 10 on why NADA was not responding to his queries relating to two earlier lapses, however he acquired no clarification.
“I then sought a solution from them (DCOs) because the NADA didn’t present a solution to any of my communications demanding a proof for a similar and knowledgeable them that I might give my pattern upon receiving such clarification from them.
“Not solely did the doping management officers refuse to supply a proof, they didn’t present me any proof on this occasion of them carrying correct gear and merely left from the venue the place I used to be at, claiming it to be a refusal from my finish,” added Bajrang.
Bajrang added that opposite to stories that he left the venue instantly, he was current for nearly one hour after the dope management officers had approached him for the pattern.
“I continued to be on the venue as I had one other bout scheduled for 3/4 place. After my semifinal bout, I met the SAI (Sports activities Authority of India) physician on the venue for therapy relating to a knee harm suffered throughout the semifinals of the Wrestling Trials.
“I solely left the venue about an hour after the alleged doping management officers approached me, opposite to the way it has been portrayed that I left instantly,” added Bajrang.
He additionally alleged that the DCOs had not adopted the norms which mandated them to remain until such time a wrestler submits his medical report back to the competitors supervisor.
“The dope controlling officer ought to have accompanied me until I submitted my medical report back to the competitors supervisor as per protocol, moderately than leaving in a rush in center of the trials, to document my refusal.
“Even when this incident is handled as refusal, the truth that it was as a result of NADA utilizing expired kits and never offering a proof for utilizing them, or giving me consolation, that that they had not carried expired kits once more, ought to be thought-about as a compelling justification.
“I took such a stance solely due to the NADAs actions up to now, which, within the absence a proof, may proceed a harmful pattern of the usage of expired kits or non-compliance with doping management protocol.
“It’s my ethical obligation in the direction of the wrestling neighborhood and significantly the youthful wrestlers, that I exercised right here,” he added.
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