Doping Scandal: Ashwini Akkunji and 7 other Indian Athletes get Clean Chit

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, December 10, 2011: In a big development, 8 Indian athletes including Ashwini Akkunji, who were suspended after being tested positive for banned substances, have received a clean chit from one-man Mukul Mudgal committee.

Ashwini Akkunji’s London Olympics dreams had shattered owing to the ban imposed as her ’B’ sample had tested positive for anabolic steroids. Hope, the latest development will help her realise the dream.

Mangalorean athlete, Ashwini Akkunji, who won 4x400 metres relay gold in the Commonwealth and the Asian Games had pleaded innocence and laid the blame squarely on the food supplements, which she said were recommended by sacked Ukrainian coach Yuri Ogorodnik.

 
The committee found that the athletes had taken ginseng - a permissible supplement, which was contaminated with banned substances. The Mukul Mudgal committee concluded that the doping was "accidental" and, hence the athletes should not be blamed.
 
The athletes, who heaved a sigh of relief after the panel’s report, include Mandeep Kaur, Ashwini Akkunji, Sini Jose, Priyanka Panwar, Jauna Murmu, Tiana Marry, Hari Krishnan and Sonia.
 
These athletes were suspended and the services of their coach Yuri Ogorodnik (Ukraine) was terminated with immediate effect after the doping issue came to light.
 
Although the athletes have received a clean chit from the Mukul Mudgal panel, they can participate in international games only after getting the clearance from the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) disciplinary panel.