Indian Wrestler Narsingh Yadav Cleared of Doping Charges After Alleging Sabotage

NEW DELHI (AP) — India's anti-doping agency dropped charges against wrestler Narsingh Yadav on Monday, clearing the way for him to travel to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Navin Agarwal, the head of India's anti-doping agency, said the body decided the wrestler had been a victim of sabotage and exonerated him of all doping charges. Agarwal did not give details of how the sabotage took place.

"I promise I will win a medal for the country," Yadav said.

The controversy arose after Yadav, who had won a bronze medal at the 2015 world championships to clinch a place in the Olympic team, failed successive dope tests when his samples tested positive for anabolic steroids.

Yadav, who was to represent India in the 74kg (163 lbs) freestyle division at the Olympics, tested positive for an anabolic steroid on both his "A'' and "B'' samples and was suspended.

Yadav said the failed test was the result of a conspiracy by his opponents to stop him from participating in the Olympics.

National anti-doping agency authorities examined evidence presented by Yadav's lawyers for three days before declaring that the wrestler would face no punishment as there was "no fault or negligence" for which he could be blamed.

Although, the agency did not immediately reveal who was behind the attempt to sabotage Yadav's chances, the wrestler has filed a police complaint, naming two other wrestlers, including a 17-year-old athlete. Police are investigating the charges.

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