NAGPUR: On the back of a provisional suspension handed to Indian weightlifter Sanjita Chanu by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), legendary sprinter PT Usha, who was recently elected as president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), assured to deal with the doping issue on priority basis.
The first woman president of the IOA highlighted how India, currently ranked second in the world for drug abuse, needs to step-up to avoid international ban which may be imposed if the country replaces Russia at the top of the drug abuse table.
“As a president, it is a big issue for me. If we jump one more position, our participation in world events will be banned. The situation is disturbing. It needs to be tackled on a priority basis,” said PT Usha while addressing the media in Nagpur on Saturday. She is in Nagpur to inaugurate the fifth edition of the Khasdar Krida Mahotsav (KKM).
Two-time Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Chanu was suspended after an in-competition test, during the National Games in September-October last year, revealed traces of a banned substance in her samples. PT Usha, on the other side, emphasised on anchoring the change through off-season testing.
“We need to introduce more random testing in the off-season. It is a need of the hour to increase out-of-competition tests at national level. Though there are several awareness campaigns on doping, players are still opting for wrong ways. Conducting regular tests is a must to curb the doping menace,” said the Rajya Sabha member.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency 2021 report, India was ranked third in drug abuse. Later, the situation worsened as more athletes tested positive. Now, India is placed at the second position.
PT Usha, who played her first school nationals in Nagpur in 1977, said that the central government is planning to bid for the 2036 Olympics. India has never hosted the Summer Games, and this will be a big move from the government. “India can host the 2036 Olympics. Our focus should be on winning more medals in the coming Olympics,” she added.
Talking about the next National Games, she said, “The last edition of the National Games was planned in Goa but it was shifted to Gujarat. Now, it is likely that Goa will host the next edition.”
The first woman president of the IOA highlighted how India, currently ranked second in the world for drug abuse, needs to step-up to avoid international ban which may be imposed if the country replaces Russia at the top of the drug abuse table.
“As a president, it is a big issue for me. If we jump one more position, our participation in world events will be banned. The situation is disturbing. It needs to be tackled on a priority basis,” said PT Usha while addressing the media in Nagpur on Saturday. She is in Nagpur to inaugurate the fifth edition of the Khasdar Krida Mahotsav (KKM).
Two-time Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Chanu was suspended after an in-competition test, during the National Games in September-October last year, revealed traces of a banned substance in her samples. PT Usha, on the other side, emphasised on anchoring the change through off-season testing.
“We need to introduce more random testing in the off-season. It is a need of the hour to increase out-of-competition tests at national level. Though there are several awareness campaigns on doping, players are still opting for wrong ways. Conducting regular tests is a must to curb the doping menace,” said the Rajya Sabha member.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency 2021 report, India was ranked third in drug abuse. Later, the situation worsened as more athletes tested positive. Now, India is placed at the second position.
PT Usha, who played her first school nationals in Nagpur in 1977, said that the central government is planning to bid for the 2036 Olympics. India has never hosted the Summer Games, and this will be a big move from the government. “India can host the 2036 Olympics. Our focus should be on winning more medals in the coming Olympics,” she added.
Talking about the next National Games, she said, “The last edition of the National Games was planned in Goa but it was shifted to Gujarat. Now, it is likely that Goa will host the next edition.”
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