Phogat gets a strike on failing to be available for the Dope-Test

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has issued a whereabouts failure notice to retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has issued a whereabouts failure notice to retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat, citing her unavailability for a scheduled dope test on September 9 at her residence in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat. Vinesh, who recently transitioned into politics, is required, as part of NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), to provide accurate details regarding her whereabouts for doping tests. Failure to be available at the specified location and time is considered a whereabouts failure. Vinesh, aged 29, had announced her retirement from wrestling following a disqualification at the Paris Olympics in August, where she was 100 grams overweight for her 50Kilos category gold medal match. Her retirement decision, made public on social media, came after a successful but emotionally taxing career. In the wake of her disqualification, Vinesh shifted her focus to politics. She is currently campaigning as a Congress candidate for the Julana constituency in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.

In the notice, NADA outlined that a Dope Control Officer (DCO) was sent to Vinesh’s residence for a test, but she was not available. The agency has given her 14 days to respond and provide an explanation. Athletes are required to be present for at least 60 minutes at the specified location during testing windows. If Vinesh accepts the failure or cannot provide evidence of her presence, the incident will be recorded. However, it’s important to note that a single whereabouts failure is not considered an anti-doping rule violation. Athletes must accumulate three such failures within 12 months for NADA to pursue further action. Vinesh’s current political commitments have kept her away from her home, which may have contributed to this missed test. However, she now faces the task of clarifying her situation with NADA.