AFI Faces Shock as Elite Athlete Twinkle Chaudhary Suspended for Doping
Doping Scandal Hits Indian Athletics
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is reeling from the news of another elite athlete facing provisional suspension due to doping allegations. Twinkle Chaudhary received a notice from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday after her samples tested positive for methyltestosterone. Notably, she had recently achieved her personal best time of 2:00.71 in the 800m event during the Federation Championships, marking it as the fourth-best performance by an Indian athlete.
This incident unfolded while AFI officials were engaged in discussions about decentralized training programs with various stakeholders, including representatives from the Police, Army, Sports Authority of India, Reliance Foundation, and Olympic Gold Quest.
Adille Sumariwalla, the former president of AFI and current spokesperson, announced that a thorough investigation into Twinkle's doping case will be initiated, emphasizing that accountability will be enforced against those found guilty. Twinkle trains under Sarabjit Singh, who has also coached Gurindervir Singh, the national record holder in the men's 100 meters. Both athletes are affiliated with the Reliance Foundation.
"I am unaware of the specifics surrounding this case as I have not reviewed the order. A comprehensive inquiry will be conducted, and if necessary, actions will be taken against the coach," Sumariwalla stated.
He acknowledged the troubling trend of coaches and parents pressuring young athletes to resort to banned substances in pursuit of jobs and incentives. "To date, only 1,100 coaches have registered with the federation. Many are reluctant to register as it would hold them accountable if their trainees test positive. However, they are quick to submit their names for cash prizes," he remarked. "I believe elite athletes are not naive, which is why Twinkle's suspension is particularly concerning. At the junior level, this issue is rampant, with coaches and even parents encouraging doping for jobs, grades, and financial rewards. This is a dire situation, which is why I advocated for criminal penalties in the Anti-Doping Bill. Without the authority to apprehend and file FIRs, controlling this issue is nearly impossible," he added.
Sumariwalla urged all stakeholders to contribute to combating this issue. "AFI maintains a strict no-needle policy and zero tolerance for doping. However, accountability must be established for officials and coaches at the district and state levels whose athletes test positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Implementing strict penalties will serve as a deterrent," he concluded, also noting his role as a vice-president in World Athletics.