Bajrang Punia suspended by NADA ahead of Paris Olympics trials

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Bajrang Punia, the bronze-medallist at Tokyo Olympics, has been provisionally suspended by NADA ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024 trials. He rushed out without giving urine samples for dope test after losing at Sonipat trials on March 10.

“With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, you are immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter,” NADA said in its communication dated April 23 as per The Tribune.

Bajrang Punia refused to give his urine sample during the trials held in Sonipat after he lost against Rohit Kumar and stormed off the premises without participating in third-fourth place bout. The 30-year-old had trained in Russia for the trials.

If the charges stay, they will be barred from selection trials scheduled to be held next month. As of now, no Indian has won a quota in the 65kg category.

The suspension letter was marked to the now defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), instead of the federation that has been recognised by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the report further suggested.

Notably, Bajrang Punia had put out a video alleging use of expired dope collection kits a couple of months ago. He refused to give the urine samples on the pretext that NADA officials were yet to respond to his concerns. The 2018 Asian Games gold-medallist left despite being told that the refusal would lead to a notice for anti-doping rule violations.

“Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continuously repeated his statement and immediately left the venue refusing to give a dope sample,” the DCO’s report said.

Punia has been asked to send a written explanation by May 7 along with supporting documents for refusing to provide his urine sample. “If you do accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel,” the letter said.