Probe drags on as triple jumper Babu gets set for Asian Games

DURING THE CWG EVENT IN APRIL, RAKESH BABU WAS FOUND GUILTY BY ANTIDOPING OFFICIALS OF POSSESSING TWO SYRINGES — INCLUDING ONE USED AND BROKEN

probe into international triple jumper Rakesh Babu’s breach of ‘no-needle policy’ during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is not progressing due to dilly-dallying by the three-member probe committee appointed by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

The panel headed by former Sports Authority of India (SAI) secretary BK Sinha as chairman was set up in April. However, the investigation has so far proved inconclusive.

With the probe still underway, the triple jumper is all set to compete at the Asian Games starting August 18 in Indonesia. He had made the Games cut during last month’s domestic meet at Guwahati.

During the CWG event in April, the Indian athlete was found guilty by the anti-doping officials of possessing two syringes — including one used and broken. He was reprimanded and had to quit the Games Village for breach of rules. He qualified for the final with a jump of 15.98m, but missed the medal round due to knee injury.

Indian officials accompanying the CWG squad gave contrasting statements, but AFI president Adille Sumariwala had said that the guilty will face the consequences. “It’s not a doping violation but it could be something aligned to that. We will take strong action,” he had said.

It has been over four months but the panel is yet to submit its report. During the inter-state athletics meet at Guwahati last month, the final qualifying event for Asian Games, Babu made the cut for quadrennial competition with a jump of 16.63m, a personal best and within the qualifying norms of 16.62m.

Foreign coach Bedros Bedrosian overseeing the national camp defended Babu. “He has deficiency of vitamin B and was advised by the medical expert to take it regularly. That was why he was carrying syringes to Australia. There was no other reason, he wasn’t doping. I have full faith in my athletes that they will not take banned drugs,” he had said.

The AFI expressed ignorance of Babu’s vitamin deficiency. It is a bit surprising that the federation doesn’t know much about the medical history of the ace Indian triple jumper. “The federation gives food supplements to all the top athletes in the camp. We doubt there is any need of extra vitamins,” said the AFI secretary general CK Valson said. “The athlete hasn’t informed us that he needs shots of vitamin.”