Sonipat, July 25 : Indian wrestler Sandeep Tulsi Yadav, who has also been tested positive for a banned steroid after Narsingh Yadav, on Monday expressed hope that the Rio-bound wrestler would get his name cleared in the next few days and head to the Summer Games.
"Not only me, the entire nation is disappointed for Narsingh. All the athletes as well as the wrestling federation are sad. I am hopeful his name will get cleared in the next few days and he will go to the Olympics," Tulsi told ANI.
Narsingh failed a random dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on July 5 at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) regional centre in Sonipat.
He was later called for his 'B' sample test, which also turned out to be positive. A day after that Tulsi was found to have tested positive for the same substance as the Rio-bound wrestler.
Tulsi is Narsingh's sparring partner and room-mate at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Sonipat. Shocked by the news, Tulsi observed that he and Narsingh share same food and, therefore, it might be possible that someone had mixed the banned substance in their meal.
"I was shocked to hear my name because I am not competing in any competition nor have I qualified for Rio Olympics.
So, why will I take the banned substance? I have been tested positive for the same substance as Narsingh.
I and Narsingh are roommates. So, I think someone mixed the banned substance in our meal," he added. Earlier today, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) threw their support behind Narsingh, saying the wrestler is a victim of conspiracy.
Narsingh, who bagged the quota in the 74kg category with a bronze medal finish in last year's World Championships, was selected for the Rio Olympics in controversial circumstances as two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar had demanded for trials to determine who should go to the games.
However, Narsingh was favoured for the same after fighting a lengthy legal battle with Sushil..
