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Bajrang Punia suspended again by NADA, Bajrang Punia suspended, NADA, latest news, doping test, sports news


New Delhi: Wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended for the second time by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). A previous suspension had already been lifted three weeks ago on procedural grounds as the NADA had not initiated any charges.

The NADA suspended the bronze medalist from the Olympic Games in Tokyo on April 23 because he refused to provide a urine sample during the selection tests on March 10 in Sonepat. The international wrestling association UWW also imposed a suspension on him.

Bajrang Punia had appealed against the provisional suspension and on May 31, the NADA Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) lifted the suspension until NADA officially issued a charge sheet. However, NADA served the charge sheet on the wrestler on Sunday.

“This serves as formal notification that you are accused of violating Article 2.3 of the 2021 National Anti-Doping Rules and are now provisionally suspended,” NADA said in its message to Bajrang.

Bajrang has until July 11 to either request a hearing or accept the charges.

The champion wrestler has consistently stated that he did not refuse to provide samples, but instead asked NADA for clarification regarding its response to his email asking why he was sent expired kits to collect his samples in December 2023.

The NADA has also provided clarifications on its approach.

“The Supervisor/DCO has duly contacted you and informed you that you must provide a urine sample for doping analysis.

“Even after several requests from the DCO, you refused to submit your urine sample on the grounds that you would not submit the sample unless NADA responds to your email regarding the expired kits used by the concerned DCO who had come to collect the athlete’s sample for doping test about two months ago. Following your refusal to undergo sample collection, the DCO of NADA also explained to you in detail the consequences and results as per NADR 2021.

“Despite the DCO’s best efforts, you refused to submit to sample collection.”

NADA clarified that the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) will be upheld. It will seek “the disqualification of the results of the event at which the ADRV occurred, as well as the commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences, including the loss of all medals, points and prizes.”

NADA may also, at its discretion, decide to recover from Bajrang the financial costs associated with the ADRV and/or impose a fine under NADR 2021. PTI