We are still trying to figure out the Sunita Rani case. She is such an experienced athlete, having won international medals—including at the last Asian Games in Bangkok—that it’s difficult to believe that she would have indulged in an act of this kind. Her past records speak for her good conduct and we have no reason to doubt her. We tried to find out from her soon after we were called by the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) medical committee on October 12. Sunita Rani denied having taken anything and that’s why we asked for the ‘B’ sample test. With her experience, she knows the effect of nandrolone and the repercussions of taking it. In fact, we delayed our trip to Busan by a day as we had to wait for the results of the dope tests.All our athletes were tested on September 30 and the reports came on October 2. They did not indicate anything suspicious whatsoever. Besides, after the hearing of Sunita a day before the 5,000 m event, she was informed about this and advised not to run. But she was very categorical: ‘‘Why should I be afraid of competing? I know I am clean.’’The ball is in our court. But we can act only after we receive the final reports. Any report that comes to us is confidential but, based on that, we’ll inquire into the whole matter before deciding on the action as applicable under the OCA rules. Any blame will be assigned only after we go into the matter thoroughly. And AAFI is bound by any decision that OCA takes.(As told to R Ramachandran)
