The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : IAAF seeks report from AFI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Athletics

IAAF seeks report from AFI

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has sought a detailed report from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on the matter of two suspended athletes being allowed to compete in the all-India inter-university championships at Chidambaram recently.

It is learnt that in a communication to the AFI on Monday, the IAAF, quoting media reports, wanted to know how an athlete (Jasmin Joseph) undergoing a two-year suspension on a doping violation charge, could be allowed to compete in the university meet.

Separate offence

The IAAF has pointed out that competing while being ineligible was a separate offence. It has also sought details of the Bharatha Reddy case which is still pending with the AFI. The AFI has been asked to reply by Wednesday.

Quoting the IAAF communication and also adopting a tough stance against the blatant violation of rules, the AFI has sought an explanation from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as to how it allowed two suspended athletes to compete in the just-concluded championships.

Reddy of Acharya Nagarjuna University is under provisional suspension for a doping violation charge that dates back to the previous inter-university meet in Bangalore, while Jasmin, representing Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, has been under a two-year suspension for a doping violation committed at the last National Games in Guwahati. She had also come ‘positive’ in the Bangalore meet and was among the sanctioned athletes.

Rules breached

Reddy finished second in the men’s 400 metres at Chidambaram, while following a protest from Calicut University, Jasmin was excluded by MGU in the women’s 4x400m relay final after she competed in the heats. The authorities ruled that by fielding a “banned athlete” MGU had breached the rules and disqualified it, but overturned the decision to re-instate the team minus Jasmin for the final on a counter protest.

The relay results were, however, withheld.

Jasmin could face a life ban if the fresh charge against her is established. Reddy’s ‘B’ sample test, to be conducted in an accredited laboratory, is yet to be done.

The AFI has written to the AIU that the participation of these athletes was in violation of the anti-doping rules of the AFI, the IAAF and the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).

Appropriate action

It has also stated that appropriate action would be taken following AIU’s reply on the matter.

The AIU has been in the know of all developments relating to the charges against Reddy and Jasmin ever since news broke that they, along with eight other athletes, had tested positive at the Bangalore meet.

It is learnt that a third suspended athlete, a Tamil Nadu long jumper, was also among the entrants at the Chidambaram meet.

His participation, however, could not be confirmed.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport