NEW DELHI -- 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 22 June, 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 5 August, besides facing the prospect of being banned for four years under the new World Anti-Doping Agency (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 to comment 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 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.
