According to a recent report by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), India is second only to Russia in the list of countries with most athletes blacklisted for doping - The Indian Express reported on Tuesday.
As many as 43 Indian athletes are currently serving IAAF suspensions for their involvement in doping, while Russia tops the list with 44 offenders. India, however, topped the list until last month, but the numbers dropped from 52 to 43 after nine Indian athletes had their suspensions recently lifted by IAAF. The list was released by IAAF on July 30.
Indian offenders mostly comprise of track and field athletes, including shot-putter Saurabh Vij and discus-thrower Akash Antil. The Commonwealth and Asian Games' gold medal-winning women's relay team had their bans lifted last month.
"We should be first on the list, not second," GS Randhawa, chief selector of the Indian athletics team, told The Indian Express. "Athletes always blame coaches when they test positive but they are equally responsible. In an attempt to achieve immediate glory, they fail to recognise the long-term consequences of doping."
Mukul Chatterjee, director-general of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), said the doping menace is on the rise despite suspensions. "The number of positive cases in athletics is on the rise. Out of 30 sportspersons who failed dope tests from April to July this year, 10 are track and field athletes. The number of positive cases that have emerged in athletics over the last couple of years is a matter of concern," said Chatterjee.
The 15 Indian athletes part of the ongoing World Championships in Moscow had been tested before they left to compete, and Chatterjee confirmed that they were clean.
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