Indian weightlifters get surprise visit from anti-doping officials

Indian weightlifters were left surprised when a team of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials swooped down unannounced at the NIS Patiala a couple of days back to collect dope samples from 21 of them.

A team of doctors from Hungary visited the national weightlifting camp currently being held at the NIS for out-of-competition dope tests.

Indian Weightlifting Federation vice-president Sahdev Yadav told PTI that the WADA team took samples from 21 weightlifters, including a few junior campers.

“A WADA team came at the NIS two days back and took samples from all the campers there, including a few junior lifters. Except for the five trainees who were on leave at that day, all the lifters gave samples,” he said.

Asked if the IWLF had any prior information of a WADA team coming, Yadav said,“It’s the not the first time WADA people have come to India for surprise dope testing. They can come anytime without telling us: “So, it was an unannounced visit and nobody from the IWLF was there.”

The surprise visit by the WADA assumes significance as the Commonwealth and Asian Games are coming up later in the year.

PTI