CAIRO: The World Wrestling Federation gave Egyptian wrestler Mohamed Abdel Fattah the green light to participate in the final qualifying stages for the upcoming Olympics, despite a lawsuit filed against him by the World Anti-Doping Association at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The former world champion who is expected to win a medal in the 2008 Olympics was suspended for six months after he refused to undergo a doping test for the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) in July 2007.
Following the end of his suspension period, WADA filed a lawsuit against the World Wrestling Federation as well as Abdel Fattah at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, demanding his suspension for two years based on its internal set of rules.
However, Abdel Fattah is just happy his suspension period is over. “For the meantime, it is a great relief, I will now focus on my training to reach my best form before taking part in the last qualification stages due to take place in Serbia and Italy next month, Abdel Fattah told Daily News Egypt.
“Since the outset of the lawsuit, our stance was clear, to back the position of our champion Mohamed Abdel Fattah, thus we’ve set a comprehensive file with all the necessary documents, Ahmed El Sinterasi, president of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation, told Daily News Egypt.
“As I’ve already served my suspension, I didn’t take part in the last World Championship as well as the African Championship, thus I can’t see the point behind the lawsuit filed against me, Abdel Fattah said.
“Throughout my career, I’ve never tested positive in any doping test, Abdel Fattah added.
Abdel Fattah explained that he refused to undergo the doping test because WADA’s officials would not provide him with any identification card or even a stamped letter sent by WADA requesting a test.
El Sinterasi pointed out that it is unusual for WADA to send any of their officials without any verification documents including a stamped letter, which informs the player of the doping test.
According to El Sinterasi, if the court rules in favor of WADA, Mohamed Abdel Fattah may still attain what is known as a “white card which would still allow him to participate in the qualification stages. It is given by the World Wrestling Federation as an exception to wrestlers who perform well in major events such as the World Championship, which, in El Sinterasi’s opinion, applies to Mohamed Abdel Fattah who won the 2006 World Championship.
