AAFI probe: Running in circles getting nowhere

Even after that, if the punishment stands AAFI can approach IAAF which, in turn, can reject the former’s plea or refer the matter to its arbitrary panel. But there is a procedural delay involved in this and by the time the panel pronounces its verdict, there is a possibility the athlete may well have served her suspension.

The Linford Christie issue is a case in point. Though the British Athletics Commission has acquitted him of the charges, the case is still pending before IAAF’s arbitrary commission.

Fortunately, in Sunita’s case AAFI can point out to the Asian body the laxity in the testing methods at Busan. Even Bhanot himself admitted to it. Our correspondent, covering the Busan Games, had reported that the marshals who were supposed to take the medallists from the finish line to the dope laboratory were missing and the athletes were allowed to take their own time — they mixed with the media, friends, officials and team doctors — before being finally led to the lab. Even International Olympic Committee president Jaques Rogge, an anti-doping campaigner himself, admitted to the laxity and said that IOC will ensure that WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency runs the dope control lab for future Games.

It appears likely that the Valson panel will give Sunita a clean chit. That would leave everyone happy. If Sunita is adjudged guilty, it is tantamount to admitting the guilt of everyone — coaches, both Indian and foreign, doctor and AAFI officials.

On the other hand, a verdict favouring the athlete will prove what the officials in AAFI, IOA, SAI and even the ministry, the Sports Minister included, have been reiterating all along: we are strictly against doping and we act accordingly.

Anyway, Bhanot still refuses to agree or say that Sunita may have been on drugs. He said: ‘‘I am not supposed to speak on this because the matter is before the probe panel. But as for as I am concerned, I am willing to believe the athlete’s innocence until she is proved otherwise by the panel. I do believe that the athlete is experienced enough not to indulge in this sort of things. I can understand an athlete consuming more cups of coffee without knowing that the coferene content could be more,’’ he said.

Valson, besides being close to Bhanot himself, is also the vice-president of AAFI and the convener of the legal committee of the Asian Athletic Association.

All this points to only one thing: even before the probe panel’s report is out, the eventual result seems obvious. It will be in the interest of the panel to keep everyone in the clear — AAFI included. But the bottomline is while the present probe may clear Sunita, it may not help her wipe out the stigma or get her the medals back.

In fact, even Randhir Singh could not say anything except that he could take it up with OCA executive. But he was not sure whether the medals can be returned to Sunita if she was cleared by one and all.