New Delhi: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a notice to wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat for a whereabouts failure, requesting an explanation within 14 days.
Vinesh declared her retirement following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics in August, citing a lack of strength to continue. The 29-year-old, disqualified for being 100 grams overweight before her 50kg category final, announced her decision on social media.
Athletes in NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), including Vinesh, must submit their availability for doping tests. A whereabouts failure is recorded if athletes provide their details but are not present at the specified location at the time indicated.
NADA’s notice to Vinesh stated that she had seemingly failed to meet the whereabouts criteria, as she was not available for a doping test at her Kharkhoda village home in Sonepat on September 9.
Vinesh announced her retirement from wrestling after a disheartening end to her Paris Olympics campaign, where she reached the final but faced disqualification before her gold-medal match for exceeding the weight limit.
Recently, Vinesh and her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia have joined the Congress party, and she is now a candidate in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, representing the Julana constituency. Currently, she is actively campaigning there.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a formal notice regarding an apparent failure to meet the whereabouts requirements of the Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), inviting her to comment before a final decision is made.
A Dope Control Officer was dispatched to conduct a test on that day at the specified time and location. However, the officer could not carry out the test as Vinesh was not present at the location. She must now either acknowledge the failure or submit proof of her presence at the location for approximately 60 minutes.
It should be noted that a single instance of failing to meet the whereabouts requirement does not amount to an anti-doping rule violation. An athlete would face charges only after three such failures, whether due to filing errors or missed tests, within 12 months, according to NADA’s regulations.
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