Vinesh Phogat called the team for dope test and herself 'disappeared', NADA sent notice

Retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat has been served a notice by NADA. Recently, after being denied a medal in the Paris Olympic Games, a team was sent by NADA to conduct a dope test of Vinesh Phogat, but she was not found at her given location. NADA, in its notice, mentioned that on 9 September, a dope control officer was deputed at Vinesh's residence in Sonipat, Haryana-a time when she had informed that she would be available there-but Vinesh, who is contesting the Haryana Assembly elections, was not available at her residence. This, according to NADA, makes it a case of non-disclosure of address.

Vinesh, who etched history in the Indian wrestling books when she became the country's first-ever woman wrestler to enter the women's 50 kg category final in Paris, has been asked to respond to the notice within 14 days. It was to the effect that NADA hereby gave notice to you in writing that: "You are hereby given formal notice in writing of your apparent failure to comply with the accommodation requirements of the ADR inviting you to make any comments you might want to make before a final decision is taken in this matter." Please read it very carefully, as it may have serious consequences for yourself.

In the 'formal notice', Vinesh Phogat was informed that she was not available at her residence in Pratap Colony, Sonipat at 12:20 pm on September 9, as updated in the recent accommodation filing. NADA's notice said, "A dope control officer (DCO) was sent to test you at that time and place on that day. However, the DCO could not locate you for testing as you were not available at the given location. A copy of the DCO's failed attempt report is enclosed, which gives details of the attempt.”

As per the World Anti-Doping Authority rules, active players are part of the registered testing pool and hence have to give a specific time and place for specific days in a month when they will be available for testing if required. Vinesh, who qualified for the finals at the Paris Olympic Games, has been part of the registered testing pool since March 2022 and was also informed about her inclusion in the list by NADA in January this year.

Failure to provide whereabouts three times in 12 months is considered an anti-doping rule violation and attracts the same penalty as a positive dope test. In Vinesh Phogat's case, the NADA letter specified that she had failed to provide whereabouts for the first time in 12 months.