Farce forward: Monika ‘cleared’ but IOA says too late to participate

Withdrawn from the Indian contingent just a few hours before she was to board the flight to Beijing due to a failed dope test...

Withdrawn from the Indian contingent just a few hours before she was to board the flight to Beijing due to a failed dope test, weightlifter Monika Devi was cleared of all charges on Saturday. The lifter’s husband Santosh Kumar told The Indian Express that they were ready to leave for China but were awaiting a clearance from the IOA.

Whether she gets to participate in the Olympics is, however, a different issue. With Indian Olympic Association (IOA) secretary general Randhir Singh already saying that she would not be able to compete, it remains to be seen if Monika will finally get to make the trip. “It’s too late for Monika to come to Beijing now and take part in the Olympic Games because we have closed the entry process,” Randhir, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, said. India have not sought an official re-entry — essential to be considered a legitimate member of the contingent.

The Indian contingent’s deputy chef-de-mission Baljit Singh Sethi said Monika would not even be allowed inside the Olympic Village. “Monika just cannot take part. The organisers have not accepted her entry and I don’t see her competing here. Her name has been withdrawn and she will not be allowed to enter the Olympic village,” Sethi said.

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However, as of now, there is no legal case against Monika. According to international rules, the national federation is entitled to take action against an athlete found guilty of doping. With the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) supporting Monika all through, she is out of the dock after a hearing committee of the IWF cleared her of the charges. Sources in the federation say that Monika had undergone four tests within the last two months and while the first test, on June 6, reportedly returned a positive report for a banned anabolic steroid, the other three were negative.

IWF secretary BR Gulati and president Harbhajan Singh did not answer calls despite repeated attempts. Though the federation is still trying to ensure her participation in the 69kg event — which is scheduled for August 13 — things don’t appear in favour of the lifter.

It still remains to be seen how the World Anti-Doping Agency or the International Weightlifting Federation will deal with the issue.

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