Indian boxing team doctor let off with a reprimand for needle use by Commonwealth Federation Court

• The case finally closes with the Indian Boxing team doctor Amol Patil being let off with just a reprimand after no conclusive evidence of doping by Indian athletes was found. While this is certainly a huge relief for the Indians that no stricter action has been taken it is hoped that the Indian Olympic Association takes note of this carelessness and does not let it go as lightly as the Commonwealth Games Court and Federation did.

https://twitter.com/TheBridge_IN/status/981085468170248192 https://twitter.com/thecgf/status/981080197033164800 -Investigations concluded yesterday with the Commonwealth Games Federation concluding that no doping rules had been broken. This is a huge relief for the Indian staffers and audience alike. Given India's trysts with doping in the past and previous warnings, the air of controversy around this issue was high. However the Commonwealth Games Federation also took care to remind other CG Associations about the "no-needle policy" at the athlete's village. Hopefully, this fair warning will ensure that the rest of the Games go unhindered and safely without the dark shadow of cheating looming over the tournament. If you want to read more about the No Needle policy, do head to our article. https://twitter.com/TheBridge_IN/status/980462168297504768

- Conflicting reports and a refusal by the CGF to clear anything up has led to several speculations regarding the true nature of what has happened. CGF chief executive David Grevemberg officially confirmed that a team had violated rules but he refused to name them. Whether an anti-doping rule violation has been committed is still not known. The IOA has been asked to explain the presence of syringes. For now India have been ordered to appear in front of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission who will prepare a report to pass on to CGF's disciplinary body before a specific course of action is decided upon. - As per the available reports, the syringes were found in a Common Lobby where players from many countries are staying which includes Indian players. Details are not known yet about the specific location of the lobby. - Earlier, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) chief executive David Grevemberg said that the Games has a 'no-needles' policy for athletes ' and 'zero tolerance' for doping. https://twitter.com/TheBridge_IN/status/980048355920199680 - Reports now emerge of twelve Indian boxers having been taken for dope testing even before the Games even begin. The Indian Express claims to have sources placed who confirm that even though the boxers had denied any wrongdoing initially, the team doctor later confessed to using the syringe. The doctor in question has still insisted that there was nothing wrong done.

The athletes' movement outside the Village have, apparently, now been restricted. - As of 7 PM IST, an Indian official has refused any wrongdoing on the part of the contingent claiming that syringes were found near the accommodation of the Indian contingent but it does not belong to any of the athletes from the country.

---

It seems like controversy follows the Indian contingent even in Gold Coast. As it speculations over a large amount of officials and delay in visas were not enough, the Indian squad currently in Gold Coast has come under fire from the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority after reports emerged of used syringes being found near the rooms of some of the participants. The incident has been reported by

Times of India who says that the media house's sources have been informed of the incident, but it is still not clear as to who exactly found these needles or syringes; whether it was during a surprise check by the officials or noted by the housekeeping staff. The report also goes on to continue that the Indian Olympic Association was, reportedly, "not surprised" at the development as similar incidents had taken place during the Rio Olympics and at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 'At the 2014 Games, India even got an official warning from the Commonwealth Games Federation for inappropriate disposal of needles by the athletes. Two years later at the Rio Olympics, syringes were again found from the players' rooms,' the IOA sources were quoted as saying by TOI.

Also read: Wrestling Federation to introduce fines on players to curb doping Up until now, the biggest doping scandal that has plagued the Indian contingent in the months leading up to the Games has been the case of Davinder Singh Kang who was, earlier, dropped from the squad after he tested positive for banned substances. This has been the javelin thrower's second such tryst after he was earlier tested positive for marijuana but in that case, it was not considered a punishable offense and he was let off with a reprimand. However, the IOA officials were very clear about the athletes being sufficiently informed about do's and dont's when it comes to doping regulations. 'During the pre-departure briefing for Gold Coast, we had told all the athletes very clearly about the dos and don'ts relating to anti-doping rule violations. If there is a need for a genuine use of a syringe, they have to take permission, otherwise they will be in trouble,' the sources added. If one remembers correctly, the Glasgow games had seen the Commonwealth Games Federation put a 'needle free' policy in place with special exceptions for those who need to use needles for treatment. Gold Coast is reportedly set to see a stricter implementation of this. Further developments are awaited.