This should act as warning, says Anju
NEW DELHI: Virtually retired and leading a comfortable life in Bangalore, India’s star long jumper Anju Bobby George is elated at the prospect of rewriting India’s track and field history, even though her competitive days are behind her.
The national record holder’s achievement at the 2005 World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo was upgraded to gold from silver after Russia’s Tatyana Kovota’s result was annulled following a positive dope test.
DOPE OFFENCE
Anti-dope sleuths caught up with the Russian athlete, finding her guilty of dope offence she committed in 2005 after frozen samples collected during the Helsinki World Championships nine years back tested positive for banned substance formestane.
Anju had recorded a jump of 6.75 metres for silver, while Kotova had clinched gold with a lunge of 6.83 metres.
Speaking to HT, she said, “It should motivate the young generation.” Anju was also the first Indian athlete to win a bronze in the Paris edition of the Worlds.
The Khel Ratna awardee will soon receive additional prize money of $10,000 and a new certificate from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
The Monte Carlo result apart, Anju’s overall position in the 2005 World Championships at Helsinki, will also be upgraded from fifth to fourth.
During her illustrious career spanning over a decade, Anju bagged a clutch of medals including the historic bronze at the Paris Worlds, and all along she faced stiff challenge
IT SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ALL THOSE WHO TAKE SHORT CUTS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS. DOPING HAS NOT ONLY DAMAGED REPUTATION OF ATHLETICS GLOBALLY BUT BACK HOME TOO ANJU BOBBY GEORGE, ex-athlete
from the Russians, including Kotova. Anju lauded the efforts of the world body in checking the menace of doping.
“It should be a warning to all those who take the shortcut to achieve glory,” she said.
COMEBACK REMOTE
After failing to make an impression in the qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Anju has been focusing on her family and a comeback looks remote. “I have no plans as I am busy with my kids,” she said.