Ukrainian coach, sacked in 2011 after dope scandal, may return as Athletics coach

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has forwarded a request to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to hire the services of Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodnik, who lost his job in 2011 following positive dope tests of members of the 4×400 women’s relay team. AFI secretary CK Valson said AFI forwarded a proposal to the ministry after members of the relay squad had ‘specifically’ asked for Ogorodonik.

“The members of our 4×400 women’s relay squad want to train under Ogorodnik and they made a request for the same about a month ago. We in turn forwarded the request to the sports ministry. The relay team members feel their chance of winning a medal at the Rio Olympics will improve significantly if Ogorodnik trains them,” Valson said. The AFI has proposed that $7,000 be paid as his salary. Incidentally, the relay team defended its Asian Games title in Incheon.

A Sports Authority of India official said the proposal to hire Ogorodnik had been discussed and a final decision will be taken soon. Ogorodnik’s contract was terminated after three of the relay squad members, Ashwini Akkunji, Sini Jose and Mandeep Kaur — all gold-medal winners at the Commonwealth and Asian Games — tested positive. These athletes were handed a one-year ban by the National Anti- Doping Agency but the quantum of punishment was increased to two years after being challenged by the International Athletics Association at the Court of Arbitration of Sport.