Obstacle runners run away: Indian athletes flee from doping inspectors

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Only one starter in the 100-meter final, one steep runner on the run – and winners not collecting their medals: After the arrival of doping inspectors, the “Delhi State Athletics Championship” competitions in India are really getting out of hand.

The final day of the athletics event in the Indian capital saw a cat-and-mouse game between athletes and inspectors from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The daily newspaper “The Indian Express” reported on this.

The number of participants dropped by half when it became known that the inspectors were on site. Suddenly only one athlete took part in the men’s sprint final, the others canceled their participation due to short-term muscle problems. An obstacle athlete kept running after crossing the finish line to avoid being checked. And several winners skipped the awards ceremony for fear of scrutiny.

Doping agent chases fleeing girl

«I was really looking forward to competing against the best athletes, but no one came. Everyone was afraid to get tested. As an athlete, I feel very hurt and disappointed,” Lalit Kumar, the only remaining sprinter, told The Indian Express.

A senior coach reported on Tuesday’s events: “During the junior steeplechase, a girl continued to run even after crossing the finish line. A doping control officer had to chase her down to obtain her sample.”

“Major threat”

Delhi State Athletics Association president Sunny Joshua told the newspaper: “Our job is to train the athletes and coaches, but we cannot constantly monitor what they do during training or behind our backs. Doping in athletics is a major threat and we are firmly against it.”

On Tuesday, empty EPO packets were found in a washroom at the sports complex in Delhi. NADA inspectors became aware of the event through a video clip showing piles of used syringes in the stadium’s restroom. (AFP/che)

Source : Blick