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Another dope shock for India, Inderjeet tests positive

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Another dope shock for India, Inderjeet tests positive
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New Delhi, (PTI) Still rattled by the Narsingh Yadav dope
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scandal, India's Olympic build-up was rocked by another doping fiasco
as shot-putter Inderjeet Singh also tested positive for a banned
substance but alleged that his sample had been tampered with.
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     The 28-year-old Inderjeet's 'A' sample has returned positive
for steroids androsterone and etiocholanolone barely 10 days ahead
of the mega-event in Rio de Janeiro.
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          The reigning Asian Champion has been informed by the National Anti-Doping
Agency (NADA). His out-of-competition test was done on June 22, sources
told PTI.
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     NADA Director General Naveen Agarwal refused to confirm Inderjeet's
name given that his 'B' sample was yet to tested but he did reveal
that the shot-putter had recorded a whereabouts failure last month.
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     "Inderjeet Singh did have a whereabouts failure in the month
of June, he did avoid it (the test). As for the dope tests, I cannot
say about Inderjeet but two athletes have tested positive so far,
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including Narsingh," Agarwal said.
     "It is the disciplinary panel before which the hearing will
be held. If he (Inderjeet) is not satisfied, he can appeal with the
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appeals panel of NADA. If the athletes cooperate with the panel then
it doesn't take much time for the process to be completed," he added.
     The NADA has asked the Punjab-born athlete, who had won a bronze
in the 2014 Asian Games, if he wants to get his 'B' sample tested.
Inderjeet has seven days in hand to get the process completed.
     If the 'B' sample also tests positive, he will have to miss
Rio Games beginning August 5, besides facing the prospect of being
banned for four years under the new WADA Code.
     Inderjeet's positive dope test comes barely two days after the
high-profile scandal involving Narsingh that engulfed wrestling.
Narsingh has alleged that he was framed by rivals, who spiked his
food and supplements.
     Inderjeet also claimed it was a conspiracy against him and his
sample has been tampered with.
     "This is a conspiracy and there is something wrong in it. This
will be checked by the doctors though. I don't want to comment on
it but whoever has tried to raise their voice in this country, they
are forced to shut up," said Inderjeet.
     "My sample has been tampered with. Why would a player take something
which is not good for his health?" he added
Interestingly, Inderjeet is not a regular in the national camp and
prefers to train on his own with his personal coach.
     Inderjeet said it was too early to say on what would be his
next move but there was a campaign to shut his mouth.
     "I am not in a situation to say anything right now but this
is one thing which destroys a player in our country. I will defend
it," he said.
     "I have given dope test at least 50 times last year and this
year too I am giving it everywhere. Even after that a campaigning
is done to shut my mouth. I used to speak straight for the Indian
athletes. There are many things happening with me for past one year.
It disturbs a player," Inderjeet said.
     Inderjeet was one of the first track and field athletes who
qualified for the Rio Olympics as he made the cut last year itself.
     He had a training stint earlier this year in the United States
under funding of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme.
     In Narsingh's case, the NADA DG said the wrestler was not tested
more than other Olympic-bound athletes as has been alleged by his
supporters. Agarwal said the allegations that Narsingh has levelled
against officials and players would be scrutinised by the disciplinary panel.
     "As far as his allegations are concerned, he has to put it up
in front of the disciplinary panel, which would be able to take an
appropriate view on this. All the Olympians were tested two or three
times. I would not go by the media trial, only the disciplinary panel
can decide it," he said.
     Agarwal said the results of Narsingh's initial tests had returned clean.
     "The 2nd June result was alright, it was the 25th June sample
(which came out positive). Even in that, the blood sample was fine
but his urine sample tested positive," Agarwal said.
     Sports Minister Vijay Goel reiterated that due process would
be followed in deciding Narsingh's fate.
     "The biggest question is whether Narsingh would be able to go
to Rio or not. Even if there has been a conspiracy, proving that
will take time. So, that is for the later part. Now, we can only
see whatever reports come. We are bound by international code, by
WADA. We want transparency and a true and fair probe into everything," he said.
     "Till the time things are not in our hand, there is no point
taking this matter forward. Since I am a responsible person, let
the press say, I will only be able to speak on the basis of evidence.
Now he is under provisional suspension. If the panel exonerates him,
then we will think about him going to Rio," he added.
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