AT the helm of the world’s highest body to counter doping among sportspersons — WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) — is Canadian Richard Pound, also considered to be one of the most influential members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The former Olympic swimmer is also chairman of the Olympic Games Study Commission deciding the scope of future Olympic games. Pound says he is concerned about the development in India and said in an exclusive interview to The Sunday Express that more such scandals will mar India’s chances of hosting the Commonwealth Games. The WADA president also warned that if India did not sign the new Code framed for anti-doping at Copenhagen, it will not be considered for hosting the Olympics and World Championships and Indian athletes may not be eligible to participate. Excerpts:In the context of the landmark Copenhagen conference, how do you view the incident of 22 Indian athletes testing positive for doping?I think this is a very serious situation for India specially in the context of the fact that they are in the running for hosting the Commonwealth Games, and also for Indian athletes. I am sure that steps will be taken to deal with the cheats and steps taken to prevent anything like this in the future.A few years back, WADA formed flying squads to conduct surprise checks on athletes, specially targeting countries like Greece and India. Why India?The IOC was coordinating many anti-doping efforts with Indian federations and I do know that testing was not to be limited to random tests, but could be targeted to areas where problems were known (or suspected) to exist.Is WADA aware that the follow-up action in India is not strong?One of the main reasons for having a single anti-doping code is to erase the differences between countries and sports in regard to doping. If India adopts the Code, it will help level the playing field.The Indian Olympic Association and the national federations here have no budget for carrying anti-doping activities. Is this what WADA expects from NOCs?WADA expects that each sport and each country will conduct anti-doping activity. WADA will supplement such activities with its own tests. Having a lab is not as important as conducting tests, which are much cheaper than maintaining a lab.According to the Lausanne declaration, coaches, officials and doctor of the athletes testing positive should also be punished. But there is not a single instance of tough action against coaches or doctors in India. What does WADA think of this?WADA recommends, as the Code provides, that those responsible for doping athletes or condoning doping must also be punished.If doping incidents continue, how will it affect India’s chances of hosting major events in the future?Firstly, if the new Anti-Doping Code is not adopted and implemented, I can say that no Olympic or world championship event will be held there and Indian athletes may not be eligible to compete.
