Paris Olympics 2024: Great news for Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia as the National Anti-Doping Agency’s Disciplinary Panel revoked his suspension until NADA issues a Notice Of Charge.
Last month, Punia was found guilty of not providing his sample for the dope test after his selection trials in March. The National Anti-Doping Agency(NADA) suspended Punia on 23rd April and UWW took similar action following them.
The incident happened during the Asian Olympic Qualifiers held in Sonepat on 10 March. Punia walked out of the venue after losing one of his bouts. He did not even provide his urine sample and did not even compete in the third-place match.
Challenge By Punia
Earlier, Punia had challenged the provisional suspension. His lawyers provided a two-pronged defense. The first argument was from an instance in December when the Doping Control Officer visited him with expired kits for sample collection.
Punia’s lawyer also mentioned that ‘Bajrang was being targeted for his active participation in the agitation led by the co-wrestlers against their harassment’ and hence was ‘justified in refusing to give a sample for the dope test as he was expecting false implications’.
Singhania further argued that DCO should have asked for the sample after his bronze medal bout. “The Athlete should have been approached after his bout for the bronze medal was over but the DCO/chaperone just left without waiting for the last bout to get over.”
The disciplinary panel noted that NADA hadn’t formally charged Bajrang with any potential violation. And declared that it was ‘premature to go into the merits and demerits of the submissions made by both parties.’
Paris Olympics 2024 Dream Over!
Even though the suspension is revoked, Punia won’t be part of the Paris Olympics 2024. No Indian wrestler managed to get a quota in the 65 kg category where he competes.
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