Sindhu, Sakshi shine before Narsingh ban dampens India spirits

TIL Desk Sports/ Shuttler P V Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik scripted a new chapter in Indian Olympic history with their unprecedented feats but the embattled Narsingh Yadav’s dreams lay in tatters after being slapped with a four-year doping ban on a bitter-sweet day for the country at the Rio Games here.

Sindhu made a historic entry into the final of badminton women’s singles event, hours after Sakshi had nailed the country’s first medal following 11 blank days in this Brazilian city. However, in a stunning reversal of fortunes, controversial male wrestler Narsingh was ousted from the Games and slapped with a four-year ban for flunking a dope test after Court of Arbitration for Sports overturned the clean chit given to him by the National Anti-Doping Agency.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had appealed against the NADA all-clear to Narsingh at CAS, three days ahead of his scheduled opening bout at the Olympics.