Rakesh, Irfan ousted for suspected doping

GOLD COAST: Indian athletes Rakesh Babu and K.T. Irfan have been sent home form the ongoing Commonwealth Games (CWG) here for breaching the ‘no-needles’ policy of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

The CGF acted on a complaint made by the its medical commission on Thursday against members of the Indian squad competing at the Commonwealth Games.

According to the CGF, a needle has been found in the living quarters of the two athletes in the games village.

The duo have thus been sent home with immediate effect for suspected doping.

“The testimony of an incognitus cleaners operations manager as to the discovery of a needle in a cup on the bedside table in bedroom 2 of Apartment 7 in the Games Village occupied by Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi is credible.

“The testimony of the Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) Principal Investigator as to the discovery of a syringe in the bag of Rakesh Babu found in Bedroom 2 which said bag Rakesh Babu admitted to be his property is credible,” the CGF said in a statement. “Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are in breach of the No Needle Policy in that they failed to ensure compliance with the No Needle Policy and, in particular, failed to ensure compliance with paragraphs I, II, III and IV of the No Needle Policy.

“Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect not permitted to participate in the Games,” the statement added.

“The accreditation of Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi was suspended with effect from 09:00 hours on April 13, 2018. Both athletes were removed from the Games Village. We have asked the Commonwealth Games Association of India to ensure both athletes depart Australia on the first flight available.”

Babu had reached the final of the men’s triple jump. He had finished fifth in Group A on Thursday with a best attempt of 15.98 metres to advance as one of the 12 best performers.

Irfan had finished 13th in a field of 15 athletes in the men’s 20 kilometre race walk. Asserting that the two athletes could not offer a satisfactory explanation, the CGF also reprimanded the Indian officials for their negligence. IANS