The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a notice to Vinesh Phogat, a wrestler and politician, regarding a failure to report her whereabouts for doping tests. She has been given 14 days to respond.
Vinesh, 29, recently announced her retirement after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics in August due to being 100 grams over the weight limit for her 50 kg category gold medal match. She shared her decision on social media, stating that she no longer has the strength to compete.
As a member of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Vinesh, like all registered athletes, is required to keep NADA informed about her availability for doping tests.
If someone submits their location details but isn’t present at that location when needed, it’s marked as a “whereabouts failure.”
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) notified the wrestler-turned-politician that she committed a whereabouts failure by not being available for a doping test on September 9 at her home in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat.
NADA Issues Notice to Vinesh Phogat for Whereabouts Failure
On Wednesday, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) issued a notice to Vinesh Phogat, a wrestler and politician, for a whereabouts failure, requesting an explanation within 14 days.
Vinesh recently announced her retirement after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics in August due to being 100 grams over the weight limit for her 50 kg category gold medal match. She shared her decision on social media, expressing that she no longer has the strength to continue competing.
As a member of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Vinesh, like all athletes in the pool, must inform NADA of her availability for doping tests. If an athlete fails to be present at the declared location during the specified time, it is classified as a whereabouts failure.
In its notice, NADA informed Vinesh that she had committed a whereabouts failure by not being available for a dope test at her home in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat, on September 9.
Also Read: Vinesh Phogat Disqualified from Paris Olympics for Missing Weight Requirements
Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement
Vinesh Phogat recently announced her retirement from wrestling following a disappointing end to her campaign at the Paris Olympics. Despite reaching the finals, she was disqualified before her gold-medal match due to being overweight.
In a new chapter of her career, Vinesh, along with fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia, has joined the Congress party. She is now running for the Haryana Assembly election from the Julana constituency.
Vinesh’s Whereabouts Notice Guidelines
Vinesh has been actively campaigning in the Julana constituency recently.
The notice from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) states, “We are formally notifying you of a failure to meet the whereabouts requirements set by the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). Please provide any comments before we make a final decision.”
According to the notice, a Dope Control Officer (DCO) was scheduled to conduct a test on her at a specific time and place, but was unable to find her there.
Vinesh must either acknowledge this failure or present proof that she was at the location for at least 60 minutes.
It’s important to note that one missed whereabouts does not count as a violation of anti-doping rules. An athlete can only be charged if they have three whereabouts failures—either missed tests or filing errors—within a 12-month period.
Also Read: Vinesh Phogat Secures Paris Olympics Spot in Women’s 50kg Category
FAQs
Q.1. What is the whereabouts failure issued to Vinesh Phogat?
Ans. Vinesh received a notice from NADA for not being present at her declared location for a doping test on September 9.
Q.2. How long does Vinesh have to respond to the NADA notice?
Ans. Vinesh has 14 days to respond to the notice regarding her whereabouts failure.
Q.3. What led to Vinesh Phogat’s retirement from wrestling?
Ans. Vinesh announced her retirement after being disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being 100 grams over the weight limit for her match.
Q.4. What are the consequences of a whereabouts failure?
Ans. A single whereabouts failure does not constitute a violation, but three failures within a year can lead to anti-doping charges.
Q.5. What is the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) in relation to NADA?
Ans. The RTP is a group of athletes required to provide their whereabouts information to NADA for doping control purposes.
