The
National Anti-Doping Agency
's (NADA) disciplinary panel,
ADDP
, has lifted the provisional suspension of Olympic medal-winning wrestler
Bajrang Punia
until
NADA
issues a Notice of Charge. Punia had refused to provide a sample for a
doping
test after the selection trials in March.
NADA initially suspended Tokyo Games bronze medallist Bajrang on April 23, followed by a similar action from the world governing body, UWW.
The selection trials for the men's national team for the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek took place in Sonepat on March 10. Bajrang left the venue without providing a urine sample after losing a bout and did not participate in the 3rd-4th place match.
Through his lawyers, Bajrang challenged the provisional suspension, asserting in his response to the ADDP that he did not refuse to provide a sample but sought an explanation from NADA regarding their lack of response to his earlier complaint about receiving an expired sample kit in December 2023.
"The hearing panel is of the opinion that at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete and without going into the merits of the submission/explanations/justifications given by the Athlete for refusing to give the sample and counter the submission of Ld. Counsel appearing for the NADA, the provisional suspension of the Athlete is revoked till NADA decides to issue Notice of Charge formally charging the athlete for violation of Anti-doping rules, 2021," read the ADDP order, as quoted by PTI.
(With PTI inputs)
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