Indian boxers cleared of doping charges

Gold Coast: In a huge relief for India’s Commonwealth Games contingent, their boxers were cleared of any doping violation, but they remained under the scanner for breaching the Games’ strict ‘no needle’ policy.

The Commonwealth Games Federation though continued to avoid naming the country involved in the matter, which is highly suspected to be India.

The concerned Commonwealth Games Association has been summoned for a hearing on Tuesday, said the CGF, but clarified that there was no doping offence involved in the matter.

Earlier, India’s men’s boxing coach denied any doping after syringes were found in the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village, saying one of his fighters was given a vitamin injection because he was unwell.

Santiago Nieva was speaking to Australia’s 7 News as speculation grew over the syringes, which Games officials said were discovered after a tip-off from a cleaner. “I’m confident that our boxers haven’t taken anything,” Nieva said. “We had one boxer that wasn’t very feeling well and the doctor has given him an injection.”

Asked if it had been a performance-enhancing drug, Nieva replied: “No, that was a vitamin substance.”

However, the CGF insists that athletes should take prior permissions, failing which can result in unspecified sanctions.

“Athletes must seek permission before bringing syringes to the Games,” federation chief executive David Grevemberg said, adding that any penalties would be at the discretion of the court. The contents of the syringes are still being investigated, Grevemberg said.

Games organising committee chairman Peter Beattie insisted that the matter would be dealt with transparently.

Tricolour hoisted
India’s athletes meanwhile seemed unruffled by the syringe controversy that has cast a shadow on their Commonwealth Games build-up as they enthusiastically took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the athletes village on Monday.

The mood was cheerful and the entire boxing contingent, which is at the center of the syringe controversy, took part in the ceremony. Five-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom was seen shaking a leg while the likes of javelin star Neeraj Chopra posed for pictures at the event. “We are focused on the training, nothing more. We don’t know anything else,” said a boxing coach with the team.
At the ceremony, India’s chef-de-mission Vikarm Sisodia avoided speaking on the matter.