Vinod Kumar Dahiya

Vinod Kumar Dahiya (born 7 August 1986) is an Indian-born Australian former wrestler who competed in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.

Dahiya was selected to represent Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after securing an Olympic qualification place in the 66 kg Greco-Roman event at the 2016 African & Oceania Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament. However, Dahiya never competed at an Olympic Games.

In July 2016, the Australian Olympic Committee requested that Wrestling Australia withdraw Dahiya's nomination from the Australian Olympic team following an anti-doping violation. Both his A and B samples tested positive for a prohibited substance. He was subsequently suspended for four years and removed from the Australian Olympic contingent. United World Wrestling subsequently reallocated Australia's position in the 66 kg division.

Wrestling career

Dahiya was born on 7 August 1986 in Khanda, Sonipat, Haryana, India. He began wrestling in 1994 and later trained at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi.

Dahiya moved to Australia in 2010 and subsequently competed for Australia. He became an Australian citizen in 2015. In March 2016, he represented Australia at the Oceania Wrestling Championships in New Zealand and won the gold medal in the 66 kg Greco-Roman event.

Dahiya subsequently competed at the 2016 African & Oceania Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Algiers, Algeria, where he won a silver medal and secured an Olympic qualification place.

Contemporary reports initially described Dahiya as having qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and being selected to represent Australia. However, those reports were published before his anti-doping violation was announced.

Anti-doping violation and removal from Olympic team

In April 2016, Dahiya provided a doping sample at the African & Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament in Algiers. The Australian Olympic Committee subsequently confirmed that both his A and B samples tested positive for a banned substance.

Following the positive tests, the Australian Olympic Committee requested that Wrestling Australia withdraw Dahiya's nomination for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The international governing body, United World Wrestling, advised that Australia's position in the 66 kg division would be reallocated to the next eligible National Olympic Committee. Dahiya was also suspended for four years.

Dahiya therefore did not participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Although he had initially secured an Olympic qualification place and had been nominated for the Australian Olympic team, he was removed from the team before the Games commenced.

Consequently, Dahiya should not be described as an Olympian, Olympic athlete or as having competed at the Rio Olympics. His Olympic qualification did not result in Olympic participation.

Australian Olympic and wrestling affiliation

Dahiya's association with Australian wrestling and the Australian Olympic team relates to his previous participation and selection in 2016.

His nomination for the Australian Olympic team was withdrawn following the anti-doping violation, and he did not compete for Australia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The Australian Olympic Committee's announcement specifically concerned the withdrawal of his nomination from the Australian Olympic team.

Dahiya should therefore not currently be presented as representing the Australian Olympic Team or as an Australian Olympic athlete.

Any current claim that Dahiya is affiliated with, represents, or holds an official position with the Australian Olympic Team or Wrestling Australia should be supported by a current official source. His historical selection for Rio 2016 does not establish a current affiliation.

Olympic status

Dahiya has never competed at an Olympic Games.

He qualified for an Olympic quota place for Australia in 2016, but his nomination was withdrawn before the Games after the Australian Olympic Committee confirmed his anti-doping violation. Both his A and B samples tested positive, and he received a four-year suspension.

The distinction between Olympic qualification and Olympic participation is therefore significant. Dahiya was a qualified nominee for the Australian Olympic team before his removal, but he was never an Olympic competitor.