Is dope-tainted coach Yuri coming back?

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 22

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is staring down a major controversy which could have larger ramifications on the Indian athletes’ preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In a major development, AFI is planning to bring back Ukrainian track and field coach Yuri Ogorodnik, who was sacked in 2011 by the Sports Ministry after the country was rocked by one of its biggest doping scandals.
Six quarter-milers — Sini Jose, Ashwini Akkunji, Mandeep Kaur, Juana Murmu, Tiana Mary Thomas and Priyanka Pawar — who were being coached by Yuri had tested positive for methandienone. However, an inquiry commission had ruled that Yuri wasn’t directly involved.
“Several top athletes have requested AFI to bring Yuri back for the Rio Games. These athletes are of the view that Yuri is an outstanding coach. But, we have to discuss this issue in length with our federation officials,” AFI secretary CK Valson told The Tribune, confirming the development that AFI is in the process of approaching Yuri. However, a major hurdle is the acceptance of the Sports Ministry, which will take a final call on the AFI’s recommendation.
Though Valson did not reveal much on Yuri’s probable return to the country, it has been reliably learnt that a senior AFI official has opened back-channel talks with Yuri to take charge of the women’s 400m, 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay.
AFI has even forwarded a proposal to the SAI to consider Yuri’s name, and a meeting between AFI and SAI officials in this regard is likely to take place sometime early next month. “We would request SAI to bring Yuri back for the 2016 Olympics. He was forced to leave the country which was sad. The quarter-milers did exceptionally well under his guidance,” another official said.