GOLD COAST: The Indian delegation at the Commonwealth Games have been ordered to appear before the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) medical commission after their boxing contingent were deemed to have committed a “clear” breach of the no-needle policy at Gold Coast 2018, it was announced here Monday.
CGF chief executive David Grevemberg confirmed a team had broken the rules regarding needs after syringes were found close to rooms reportedly belonging to Indian boxers in the Athletes’ Village.
Indian Express, quoting sources, was the first to report that Australian anti-doping officials recovered a used syringe from a bin outside the room of senior boxers at the Athletes Village.
An initial report from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) was delivered to the CGF medical commission overnight.
Express reported Sunday that subsequently dope tests were carried out on all 12 members of the boxing team, which includes eight men and four women. The syringe, too, would be examined for its contents. The test results are expected before the opening ceremony, which will be held on April 4 (Wednesday).
According to the ‘no-needle policy’ for the Gold Coast Games, athletes are not allowed to carry syringes for medical purposes inside the Games Village or in competition areas without prior permission. Even after obtaining permission, the athletes have been advised to attach an ‘Injection Declaration Form’, and the usage of the syringe must be monitored by the Medical Commission of the organising committee.
“Failure to respect this CGF No Needle Policy… may expose the Athlete(s), the entourage of the Athlete(s), the CGA and members of its delegation as well as the Person(s) having administered the injection to disciplinary action, additional Testing and sanctions, as determined by the CGF Medical Commission,” the CGF advisory states.
