Athletes can participate in CWG after suspension lifted: WADA

Published>Tue, Sep 28 10 11:21 PM

New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS) The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Tuesday clarified that the athletes who had tested positive for methylhexnamine can participate in the Commonwealth Games as the provisional suspension has been lifted following the shifting of the drug from the non-specified to the specified category.

Twelve Indian athletes tested positive, out of which seven were part of the Games team. They were provisionally suspended but once WADA shifted methylhexanamine from non-specified to specified category, the suspension was lifted by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

The hearing of the athletes by the three-member anti-doping panel ended without any conclusion Monday. NADA said their next hearing will now take place Oct 21.

'As advised by WADA, the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel took notice of this change in status and in its hearing of the cases, withdrew the provisional suspension imposed by NADA on these athletes. However, the panel is still hearing the cases on merits for final decision,' NADA director-general Rahula Bhatnagar said in a press statement.

Bhatnagar said they sought WADA's clarification regarding the provisional suspension of the athletes and their participation in the Commonwealth Games.

'WADA has indicated in their clarification that if the provisional suspension has been lifted, the athletes are not suspended anymore. Therefore, provided they meet the requirements set by the Commonwealth Games, they see no impediment to their participation.

'Further according to WADA, the process would benefit from an expedited hearing prior to the beginning of the Games, which would clarify the situation.'

Wrestlers Rajiv Tomar, Mausam Khatri, Sumit and Gursharanpreet Kaur, shot putter Shaurabh Vij's, swimmers Richa Misra and Jyotsana Pansare were in the Commonwealth Games squad but were provisionally suspended.

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