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Journalism of Courage
Unhappy about Sports Authority of India’s flip-flop over dope testing allegedly involving weightlifter Monika Devi, Sports Minister M S Gill appointed former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy to inquire into all aspects of this matter.
Krishnamurthy has been asked to submit his report within a week, sources in the Sports Ministry said.
Gill, who returned here from Beijing early Wednesday morning, discussed all aspects of ‘this unfortunate incident’ with his Ministry officials, had a meeting with Monika and spoke to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh over phone after which he ordered the inquiry ‘to know the precise truth’.
The meeting between Gill and Monika lasted for 45 minutes.
Monika was stopped from going to Beijing on August 6 at the eleventh hour after she tested positive for an unspecified banned substance.
However, three days later she was cleared by the SAI of any wrong doing but the relief came too late for her to participate in the Olympics.
“On return from Beijing this morning, I have been briefed on matters related to Monika Devi, one of our weightlifters. Questions arose about her dope testing and the timing and release of the reports, which led to her not being sent to Beijing Olympics,” Gill said.
The Minister said although weeding out dope offenders was one of his priorities but equally important for him was to ensure that no innocent athlete suffers due to official ‘laxity’.
“I have told him (Krishnamurthy) to come to Delhi at the earliest to hold his inquiry and to favour me with his report and recommendations at the earliest,” Gill said.
“As Sports Minister, while I am determined to set up an independent technically proficient dope testing mechanism which has credibility in the world, I am also anxious that no sports person should suffer due to any laxity or delay on the part of this testing mechanism,” he said.
“While ensuring prompt and firm action in Monika Devi’s case, I am determined to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. I want to assure all sports-persons that they will get full consideration and fair treatment from me at all times,” he added.
