Under 23 UWW World Championship silver medallist Ravinder Kumar Dahiya has denied reports of being tested positive for doping. Speaking to InsideSport, Dahiya has confirmed that National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) might have reported about some other wrestler and he had never been tested by the agency.
“My samples were never taken for test by NADA. The wrestler named in media reports is not me,” said Dahiya. “I don’t know how and from where my name came up. It might be some other wrestlers.”
NADA in a statement on its website had stated that the dope sample of wrestler Ravinder Kumar was taken during the 67th All India Police Wrestling Cluster Championship in Jaipur in February and March.
On the contrary, Dahiya works with the Indian Air Force and there was no possibility of him being part the Police Games. “NADA mentioned that I work with the police but I work with the Air Force. The reports have talked about my achievements too but the wrestler banned for doping is not me. There is some confusion,” Dahiya said.
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Reports stated on Friday that wrestler Ravinder Kumar was tested positive for a prohibited substance by the NADA and banned for four years. It was also stated that his world championship medal could also be stripped off.
Nada had provisionally the wrestler who tested position in May last year.
The anti-doping agency on its website had stated that “his sample analysis revealed presence of 19-Norandrosterone (Metabolite of Nandrolone) at a concentration greater than 15 ng/ml, Buprenorphine & its metabolite Norbuprenorphine, Narcotic Mephentermine & its metabolite Phentermine, and Stimulant Heptaminol which is enlisted under category S6 and is non-specified substance as per the WADA Prohibited List of 2019”.
The accused wrestler had not availed the option to have his ‘B’ sample analysed. He had explained that he had used the medicines for treatment and sought some more time to file his defence. Despite sufficient time granted to the athlete he chose not to appear at the oral hearing conducted on December 3 last year, adds PTI.
“He was given another seven days’ time to present his case in an ex-parte hearing; however, he still failed to appear or produce any documents in support of his case in front of the panel. He was, therefore, proceeded ex parte,” the NADA said.
“The Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, therefore, rendered Ravinder Kumar ineligible for a period of 4 years from his date of provisional suspension (14th May 2019) because his case involved a non-specified substance.”
The NADA said the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel also “directed that as per Rule 10.08 all other competitive results obtained by Ravinder from the date of his sample collection be disqualified with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes”.
NADA had submitted that as a reminder to the athlete that as per Article 2.1.1 of the Rules, it was his personal duty to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his body.
“He was thus guilty of anti-doping rule violation. Also, the athlete did not disclose the medicine on his doping control form and also not applied for or furnished any Therapeutic Use Exemption,” said the NADA.
