Yogeshwar Dutt bronze medal may turn to gold in London Olympics

Yogeshwar Dutt

Few days back news was confirmed that Yogeswar Dutt Bronze medal will convert to Silver as Russia’s Basik Kudhakov, who had originally won the silver in the 60kg category in 2012, had tested positive for a banned substance after a retest of his sample.

But now, there’s a fresh twist to the tale which could even see the Indian being promoted to a gold medallist’s status. According to the reports, Asgarov of Azerbaijan, who won the gold medal in the men’s 60kg freestyle category at the 2012 London Games, has tested positive for consuming performance enhancing drugs.

But while a section of the wrestling officials said that Yogeshwar could be awarded the gold if the news turns out to be true, others felt that it was too early to come to any conclusion.

“The rule is not very clear on this issue,” said one of the national coaches.

“But my understanding is that if at all Asgarov has tested positive, then the gold medal should go to the other bronze medal winner from the United States (Coleman Scot).

“Each weight category in wrestling is conducted in two halves in Olympics. Yogeshwar will receive the silver because Besik Kudhakov was in his half of the draw. Since Scot was in the other half and lost to Asgarov, the gold medal should go to him,” the coach said.

Asgarov is a well-known wrestler in the international circuit having won several medals in major championships.

Like Yogeshwar, he, too, switched from 60kg to 65kg after the rearrangement of weight categories.

While Yogeshwar suffered a first round loss in Rio, Asgarov went on to win the silver medal. He also won the gold medal in the same weight category in the European Games in Baku last year.

As per Wada’s revised norms, samples taken for dope tests from international tournaments are stored in freezers for up to 10 years in order to allow the use of advanced technology, available with the passage of time, to catch the dope cheats to ensure that “the clean athletes get justice even if it comes a bit late”.

The IOC has been re-testing the samples collected at London as well as 2008 Beijing Olympics, besides other international tournaments, keeping in view of the new rules.

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