Shot putter Inderjeet fails dope test; cries conspiracy

India's Rio Olympics build-up was rocked by another dope scandal after shot putter Inderjeet Singh tested positive for a banned substance but alleged that his sample has been tampered with.28-year-old Inderjeet's 'A' sample has returned positive for a banned substance. The reigning Asian Champion Inderjeet tested positive for a banned steroid and he has been informed by the National Anti-Doping Agency. His out-of-competition test was done on June 22, sources told PTI.The NADA has asked the Punjab-born athlete, who had won a bronze in the 2014 Asian Games, if he wants to test his 'B' sample and if so, to do this within seven days. If the 'B' sample also tests positive, he will have to miss Rio Games beginning August 5, besides facing the prospect of being banned for four years under the new WADA Code. Inderjeet claimed it was a conspiracy against him and his sample has been tampered with. "This is a conspiracy and there is something wrong in it. This will be checked by the doctors though. I don't want tocomment on it but whoever has tried to raise their voice in this country, they are forced to shut up," said Inderjeet."My sample has been tampered with. Why would a player take something which is not good for his health," he added. Inderjeet is one of those athletes who does not train at the national camps. He normally trains on his own with his personal coach.Inderjeet said although it was too early to say anything, there was a campaign to shut his mouth. "I am not in a situation to say anything right now but this is one thing which destroys a player in our country. I will defend it," he said."I have given dope test at least 50 times last year and this year too I am giving it everywhere. Even after that a campaigning is done to shut my mouth. "I used to speak straight for the Indian athletes. There are many things happening with me for past one year. Media shows that I am running from dope test but I am not. It disturbs a player," Inderjeet said. He is one of the first track and field athletes whoqualified for the Rio Olympics as he made the cut last year itself. He had a training stint earlier this year in the United States under funding of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme. Interestingly, Inderjeet is not a regular in the national camp and prefers to train on his own with his personal coach. Inderjeet said it was too early to say on what would be his next move but there was a campaign to shut his mouth. "I am not in a situation to say anything right now but this is one thing which destroys a player in our country. I will defend it," he said."I have given dope test at least 50 times last year and this year too I am giving it everywhere. Even after that a campaigning is done to shut my mouth. I used to speak straight for the Indian athletes. There are many things happening with me for past one year. It disturbs a player," Inderjeet said. Inderjeet was one of the first track and field athletes who qualified for the Rio Olympics as he made the cut last year itself.He had a training stint earlier this year in the United States under funding of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme. In Narsingh's case, the NADA DG said the wrestler was not tested more than other Olympic-bound athletes as has been alleged by his supporters. Agarwal said the allegations that Narsingh has levelled against officials and players would be scrutinised by the disciplinary panel."As far as his allegations are concerned, he has to put it up in front of the disciplinary panel, which would be able to take an appropriate view on this. All the Olympians were tested two or three times. I would not go by the media trial, only the disciplinary panel can decide it," he said. Agarwal said the results of Narsingh's initial tests had returned clean. "The 2nd June result was alright, it was the 25th June sample (which came out positive). Even in that, the blood sample was fine but his urine sample tested positive," Agarwal said.Sports Minister Vijay Goel reiterated that due process would be followed in deciding Narsingh's fate. "The biggest question is whether Narsingh would be able to go to Rio or not. Even if there has been a conspiracy, proving that will take time. So, that is for the later part. Now, we can only see whatever reports come. We are bound by international code, by WADA. We want transparency and a true and fair probe into everything," he said. "Till the time things are not in our hand, there is no point taking this matter forward. Since I am a responsible person, let the press say, I will only be able to speak on the basis of evidence. Now he is under provisional suspension. If the panel exonerates him, then we will think about him going to Rio," he added.