NADA provisionally suspends two athletes, insists on not using COVID-19 workers for sample collection

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has provisionally suspended powerlifters Savita Kumari and Ankit Shishodia for violating anti-doping guidelines.

“Athletes were given an opportunity to present themselves before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) and explain their cases on the date and time fixed by the panel for a hearing. However, due to COVID 19, followed by lockdown in the country no sitting of the panel could take place in April,” a launch by the corporate states.

Furthermore, Dope Control Officers, who’re front-line medical staff within the battle towards the COVID-19 pandemic, won’t be despatched for pattern assortment when coaching of athletes resumes following lockdown rest, NADA’s Director General Navin Agarwal advised PTI on Monday.

NADA is gearing up for vigorous resumption of pattern assortment and testing after the house ministry allowed sports activities complexes and stadia to open however with out spectators. Agarwal stated elaborate pointers have been ready and the physique is now ready for sports activities ministry’s inexperienced mild to start out pattern assortment.

“We are requesting sports ministry to give us the list of centres where sporting activities are resuming. I understand that there are states where activities are resuming particularly with regards to non-contact sports,” Agarwal advised PTI throughout an interplay.

“Yes, NADA won’t be using any of their DCOs who have been frontline workers in recent times as they might have been working in hospitals and require to self-quarantine themselves,” he added.

Most of the NADA DCOs are medical and para-medical workers working at authorities hospitals. Also, in the intervening time, solely urine samples will likely be collected to test athletes who’re within the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and have certified for subsequent yr’s Tokyo Olympics. The athletes within the RTP are elite opponents who’re required to share their whereabouts with the anti-doping company.

“As of now, no blood samples will be collected because transportation will be difficult in the current scenario. Blood samples require to be transported fast or else they get haemolyzed,” the DG knowledgeable.

Haemolysis is the rupturing of crimson blood cells. On Monday, Agarwal and high NADA officers had a video convention with DCOs throughout the nation to debate modalities.

“There is a whole set of guidelines as to which DCO can be permitted and which DCO can’t be permitted to go for sample collection. Because many of our DCOs are already in the health sector as frontline workers – doctors and para medics,” he defined.

Agarwal confirmed that no frontline staff will likely be used as DCOs for now. “Obviously, the symptomatic people will also not go. Also, those working at COVID centres won’t be testing athletes. Depending on their exposure, these things will be taken into account,” he stated.

Agarwal additionally stated “man power is not a problem” since competitions usually are not happening, which implies that there received’t be too many checks. “Right now, we are looking at probably sending people to Bengaluru or Patiala,” he stated.

Also, aside from camps, focus will likely be on testing athletes within the RTP. “(We will test) those who have already qualified or those who are Olympic probable provided we get approval from sports ministry,” he stated.

All the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will likely be offered by NADA and the sort of package used might range relying on zones.

“Our set of guidelines will specify where they (DCOs) need to wear only masks and gloves and where all they have to wear PPE suit or face shield. The protective equipment could be different for different zones. The standard distance from athletes will be two yards,” he revealed.