Retired Vinesh Phogat ‘misses’ dope test, receives NADA notice

Former Indian wrestler and politician Vinesh Phogat has been handed a notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a missed dope test while campaigning for the Haryana Assembly elections. Phogat, a member of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), failed to provide her whereabouts for a scheduled test on 9th September, raising concerns over her compliance with anti-doping regulations.

NADA notice for whereabouts failure of Vinesh Phogat

As part of NADA’s RTP, all athletes are required to disclose their availability for dope testing. On the day of the test, NADA’s Dope Control Officer (DCO) attempted to test Phogat at her residence in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat, but was unable to locate her. This resulted in a whereabouts failure—a violation where an athlete is unavailable at the time and place they provided for the test.

Vinesh Phogat now has 14 days to respond to the notice. She must either acknowledge her failure or provide evidence proving her presence at the scheduled location. A single missed test does not constitute an anti-doping rule violation, but three such failures within a 12-month period could lead to further action.

Transition from Wrestling to politics

Vinesh Phogat, who recently announced her retirement from wrestling following a disappointing end to her Paris Olympic campaign, has been actively involved in the political scene. After being disqualified for exceeding the weight limit in her 50kg category gold medal bout, the 29-year-old decided to step away from the sport, citing exhaustion and the inability to continue competing.

Vinesh Phogat, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, joined the Congress Party and is now contesting the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency. Her election campaign has kept her busy, which may have contributed to her unavailability for the dope test.

Vinesh Phogat campaigning

While Vinesh Phogat has shifted her focus from wrestling to politics, her obligations as an athlete under NADA’s RTP remain. The timing of this notice, amid her campaign efforts, highlights the challenges of balancing her new political responsibilities with her previous sporting commitments.

NADA’s rules state that three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period can lead to sanctions. As this is Phogat’s first reported failure, the immediate consequences are limited. However, Phogat must now carefully manage her schedule and availability to avoid further violations.

Future implications for Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat’s political journey is still in its early stages, and this incident marks the intersection of her dual careers in wrestling and politics. As she campaigns for a seat in the Haryana Assembly, she must navigate both the political landscape and the ongoing obligations tied to her former athletic career.

The outcome of NADA’s inquiry will depend on her response within the stipulated time, and Phogat’s future could be influenced by how this situation unfolds. While she is no longer competing, adherence to anti-doping regulations remains critical until she is officially removed from NADA’s RTP.