News of wrestler Narsingh Yadav flunking the dope test yesterday has had a negative impact on the Rio Olympic-bound wrestling contingent, said 21-year-old female grappler Vinesh Phogat, who will be making her Olympic debut at next month’s Games
India wrestler Vinesh Phogat
News of wrestler Narsingh Yadav flunking the dope test yesterday has had a negative impact on the Rio Olympic-bound wrestling contingent, said 21-year-old female grappler Vinesh Phogat, who will be making her Olympic debut at next month’s Games.
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India wrestler Vinesh Phogat
"We have all worked so hard for it. Representing the country at the Olympics is every athlete’s dream and I don't think any athlete will do anything like this a few days before the Games. We are all shocked by with what has happened. Initially, it was an issue between two of our best wrestlers in the 74kg — Sushil bhai and Narsingh, as to who will head to Rio. Once the verdict was out, we were sad that Sushil would not get to go to Rio.
"Later, we convinced ourselves that Narsingh was good enough for a medal. But now I feel we have lost one wrestling medal at Rio," Phogat told mid-day from New Delhi yesterday.
This episode will haunt Narsingh forever, felt Phogat. "Narsingh has been under immense pressure for quite some time now.
"First, he went through the ordeal of being blamed for denying Sushil a place in Rio. Then, once the court verdict came in his favour, he would’ve worked doubly hard, given the added pressure to prove himself as a genuine medal contender. And now this news will completely break him. This incident will stay with him for the rest of his life," said the 48kg grappler.
Finally, Vinesh admitted that the incident has left a bad taste in the mouth for the Rio-bound grapplers.
"Psychologically, this incident has affected all of us in some way or the other. We feel demoralised," she said, even as she explained the need to constantly monitor one’s diet.
"I take every precaution when it comes to my food and water. I even carry homemade ghee with me wherever I go. The only thing we are not 100% sure of at all times, is the supplements that we take. Sometimes, there’s a chance of of some adulteration there," she added.
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