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ADDP lifts Bajrang Punia’s suspension: The National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on wrestler Bajrang Punia until NADA takes notice of the charges. Punia refused to give his sample for dope test after the selection trial in March. NADA has banned Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Punia till April 23. After this United World Wrestling also took similar action.
The men’s team selection trials for the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Bishkek were held in Sonepat on 10 March and Bajrang left the venue after losing without providing his urine sample. He also did not participate in the third and fourth place races. Bajrang challenged the provisional suspension through his lawyer. He reiterated in his reply to the ADDP that he had never refused to provide his samples but wanted to know why NADA had not responded to his query as to why an ‘expired kit’ was sent to collect his samples in December 2023. .
“The hearing panel is of the view that at this stage the notice of charge is yet to be issued to the athlete and the explanation/justification given by the athlete for refusing to provide the sample is yet to be considered.” The ADDP, in its order, said that without doing so and without responding to the arguments of counsel appearing on behalf of NADA, the athlete’s provisional suspension is revoked until NADA gives notice to formally charge the athlete for violation of anti-doping rules. , 2021. Not scheduled to release.
