Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Wednesday said that no player in the Olympics squad can be substituted if he or she has been suspended by an anti-doping panel.
“I don’t think any person is allowed as replacement of another, if the original player has failed the dope test,” Goel told reporters in parliament.
“In case a player is seriously unwell, then under extraordinary circumstances the concerned agency considers substituting another player,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader added.
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Goel’s remarks came after he was asked if anyone else can be sent in place of wrestler Narsingh Yadav, who tested positive in a dope test and was subsequently disqualified for the Rio Olympics.
Parveen Kumar Rana’s name was announced on Tuesday as Narsingh’s replacement in the 74 kg weight category.