NADA panel asks Vij to produce affidavits
The National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel on Tuesday asked shot-putter Sourabh Vij to submit the affidavits of witnesses within three weeks to defend his second anti-doping rule violation charge.
Vij, who was among the 11 sportspersons suspended for two years in the Methylhexanamine case, had also tested positive for steroid testosterone at the Indian Grand Prix meet at Patiala last April.
The Delhi athlete had claimed “sabotage” as the reason behind his positive test and sought permission to present five witnesses including himself. The hearing was adjourned to December 10.
Meanwhile, the 11 banned athletes are expected to appeal the decision of the National Anti-Doping Panel. The athletes said that they will contest against the decision because the two year ban period was too long.
“We were expecting a warning or a suspension of six months at the maximum or something like that as it has been more than two years since the case began in September 2010. We had suffered during this period,” wrestler Rajeev Tomar told PTI.
“We will definitely appeal the decision. We will have a discussion among ourselves and decide on the course of action,” said the Arjuna Award winner, who represented India in the Beijing Olympics.
Swimmer Richa Mishra’s father, meanwhile, said his daughter will definitely appeal the decision. “The panel has given its decision and I can’t comment on that. But we have the right to appeal. So my daughter is going to appeal to the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel,” V K Mishra said.
