Bajrang Punia, a bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, has been handed a four-year ban for avoiding a doping test, despite contesting the charges and maintaining his innocence about refusing testing, which he attributed to an expired kit presented by officials.
Punia alleged that this doping ban was a form of revenge from former Wrestling Federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for his leading role in protests demanding Singh's removal over serious allegations of misconduct.
The protests, which attracted massive support from athletes and the public, highlighted ongoing issues within India's wrestling community, with wrestlers demanding accountability and addressing important issues such as harassment of female athletes.
India recorded the highest number of drug cheats globally in 2022, raising concerns about the effectiveness of anti-doping measures and oversight in sports, particularly in wrestling, where it remains a significant cultural activity.
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