‘Some Asian c’ship bound athletes yet to undergo dope tests’

New Delhi, May 26

At least 10 track and field athletes, mostly relay runners, are yet to undergo dope tests, though the Indian team for next month’s Asian Championships in China leaves the country in three days’ time.

This may lead to a situation where athletes head to the championships with their dope status not known. It is unlikely that the results of the tests could be received before the athletes depart.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has selected 20 athletes for the Asian Athletics Championships in Wuhan (June 3-7) and the relay runners (men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400) will be announced after trials at the NIS Patiala and Bangalore tomorrow.

It is learnt that the AFI has asked the NADA to take dope samples of the relay runners after the trials tomorrow. Sources said that this was being done after some athletes, including women quartermilers, went missing when a World Anti-Doping Agency dope testing team visited the SAI-LNCPE, Thiruvananthapuram, earlier this month.

Significantly, the trials of the women’s 4x400m relay, which were earlier scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow, have been shifted to the NIS Patiala. The quartermilers camping at SAI-LNCPE, Thiruvananthapuram, will now have trials at NIS Patiala where NADA will take their dope samples.

“It is not a secret that at least seven quartermilers went missing when a WADA team came calling at Thiruvananthapuram. Somebody tipped them off and they left the centre a day prior to the WADA team arrival. I feel that the top brass of the AFI knew the seriousness of the situation and they have shifted the trial to Patiala from Thiruvananthapuram so that they undergo dope tests there,” an athletics coach said on the condition of anonymity. “At NIS Patiala dope testing is done on regular basis and it’s difficult to escape there than in Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.

“It is almost clear who all would be in the relay team. At least 10 athletes bound for the Asian Championships are yet to undergo dope tests,” he added.

The AFI officials expressed hope that the results would be available before their departure on May 30. “The relay runners will undergo dope tests either tomorrow or May 28. We have written to the NADA to send the dope testing team,” AFI Secretary CK Valson said.

Asked if the results will come before the departure of the team for Wuhan, Valson simply said, “We are hoping that the results will be out in 36 to 48 hours.” Repeated attempts to get NADA’s response returned unanswered.

MR Poovamma and Tintu Luka are unlikely to take part in tomorrow’s trials as they have already been named in the 20-member Indian team in their individual events. Ashwini Akkunji is also not expected to take part tomorrow.

The AFI may find itself in a difficult situation if the results do not come on time as they will have to name the relay runners soon and get their travel documents ready. — PTI