The Indian Commonwealth Games contingent could be in trouble amid speculation that its boxers possessed syringes in violation of the event's 'no needle policy' but the country is believed to have steered clear of any doping embarrassment.
Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg, in a press conference here, said the CGF has initiated an investigation into the matter but did not name India as the target of the probe.
Grevemberg said the CGF was in talks with the concerned Commonwealth Games Association amid spiralling speculation that Indian boxers are the ones under the scanner in this case. The Games are due to start April 5 after an opening ceremony on April 4.
"That CGA has now been summoned to engage in a meeting with our medical commission later today (Monday 2 April)," Grevemberg said.
The Indian contingent has been insistent that there has been no wrongdoing on its part.
After claiming that the syringes found could have belonged to other teams who are staying in the same compound of the Games village, a top official on Monday confirmed that the recovery was indeed made from an Indian but denied any dope violation.
"There has been no doping violation because the syringe had been used to inject multi-vitamins. The boxers have been tested and had there been a violation, we would have known by now," a top official in the Indian contingent said.
"We are now waiting for what the CGF decides," he added.
The CGF CEO, meanwhile, said sanctions would be in order depending on the explanations put forth by the concerned unidentified Commonwealth Games Association.
"The report (of the medical commission) will include the testimony of the concerned CGA and that will be put forward to our federation court for further deliberation to determine the appropriate sanction."
Games organising committee chairman Peter Beattie insisted that the matter would be dealt with transparently.
"There will be transparency and nothing will be covered up," he said. The CGF 'no needle policy' prohibits the administration of injections without strong medical support. The policy is relaxed only for athletes requiring prescribed medication or nutritional supplements under the supervision of a medical practitioner. However, the CGF insists that athletes should take prior permissions, failing which can result in unspecified sanctions.
Tricolor in CWG village
The Indian athletes seemed unruffled by the syringe controversy that has cast a shadow on their Commonwealth Games build-up as they enthusiastically took part in the flag-hoisting ceremony at the athletes village, here on Monday. The mood was cheerful and the entire boxing contingent, which is at the center of the syringe controversy, took part in the ceremony this evening.
Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom was seen shaking a leg while the likes of javelin star Neeraj Chopra merrily posed for pictures at the event.
"We are focussed on the training, nothing more. We don't know anything else," said a boxing coach with the team.
We are prepared: Chirag
Chirag Shetty knows the competition will be tough at the Commonwealth Games, starting Thursday, but the India shuttler and his men's doubles partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are prepared for the challenge, having formed a "winning combination". "The CWG this year will see the participation of two formidable doubles pairs, one from Malaysia and one from England. Players from Canada and other countries have also confirmed their participation.
"The competition is tough but we are fully prepared to take on our opponents. If we continue to maintain our past form and play in the manner we have been playing for the past 2-3 months, we are hopeful of winning a medal," Shetty said.
"Our singles contingent have proved their mettle in past Commonwealth Games and this time, the doubles contingent has bright chances of winning a medal," he quipped.
He also said their preparations for the Commonwealth Games are going on well. "The preparations are in full force and going on pretty good. We are on the right track. Even in the All England Open we played a good match against the World No 2. We played three games and we almost had the match," he signed off.