Wrestler-turned-politician Vinesh Phogat receives NADA notice for whereabouts failure
Vinesh Phogat, a former wrestler and now politician, has been issued a notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing to provide her whereabouts. The agency has requested a response from Phogat within 14 days. This development comes after her retirement from wrestling following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics for being 100gm overweight for her 50kg category gold medal bout.
NADA's rules and Phogat's alleged violation
According to NADA's regulations, all athletes registered with its Registered Testing Pool (RTP) must provide information about their availability for the dope tests. If an athlete is not present at the specified location during the given time, it is considered a whereabouts failure. The agency has accused Phogat of such a failure as she was not available for a dope test on September 9 at her residence in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat.
NADA's notice to Phogat
The notice from NADA stated, "You are hereby given a formal notice to notify you about apparent failure to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the ADR, and to invite you to make any comments before we come to a final decision on the matter." It further explained that a Dope Control Officer was unable to locate her for testing as she was not present at the specified location.
Phogat's current political pursuits
Now, Phogat has two options: either accept this or provide proof that she was present at that location for approximately 60 minutes. Phogat has recently joined the Congress and is contesting the upcoming Haryana Assembly election from Julana constituency. She is currently occupied with campaigning in this constituency. Her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia has also recently joined the Congress party.
