Vinesh Phogat after winning her Women’s Freestyle 50kg Round of 16 wrestling match against Japan’s Yui Susaki at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France. (PTI Photo)
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who retired from wrestling last month, has been served with a whereabouts failure notice after the anti-doping sleuths did not find her at her pre-disclosed location on the date of sample collection earlier this month.
The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) officials reportedly reached Vinesh’s home in Kharkhoda, Haryana, on September 9. However, she was not available to provide her dope sample. Consequently, the anti-doping watchdog served her a notice and sought an explanation within 14 days.
It is learnt that this is the first time she has been handed a notice for alleged whereabouts failure. Consequently, even if she accepts the failure, Vinesh is unlikely to be sanctioned. According to anti-doping rules, an athlete must record three whereabouts failures within 12 months for the NADA to charge her.
“You are hereby given a formal notice to notify you about apparent failure to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the ADR, and to invite you to make any comments before we come to a final decision on the matter,” the NADA notice read, according to PTI.
“A Dope Control Officer (DCO) was sent to test you on that dav at that time and place. However, he was unable to locate you for testing as you were not available at the given location.”
Vinesh had announced retirement from wrestling after the Paris Olympics, where she reached the final of the 50 kg freestyle competition but was disqualified on the morning of her gold medal bout for being overweight by 100 grams.
Despite her announcement, Vinesh continues to feature on NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and is hence required to provide details about her availability for a dope test. Failure to be present at the stated time, date and location leads to a whereabouts failure.
Vinesh was one of the three wrestlers who led the protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. While Sakshi Malik had announced retirement last year at the peak of the demonstrations, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, too, finds himself on the anti-doping web for allegedly declining to provide a sample. He has contested the provisional suspension NADA has imposed on him.
Vinesh and Bajrang joined the Congress Party last month. Vinesh is contesting the Haryana Assembly election from the Julana constituency. Voting will take place on October 5, with the results scheduled to be announced on October 8.
