Chanu Cleared Of Doping Charge By IWF, Demands Answers And Compensation

The International Weightlifting Federation has dropped the doping charge against Indian weightlifter K Sanjita Chanu due to "non-conformities" in handling her sample, but the Commonwealth Games gold medalist has also asked for an apology and compensation for the "trauma" he has suffered. . The IWF made the decision based on the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The 26-year-old, who pleaded not guilty from the start, was informed of the final verdict via email, signed by IWF legal adviser Lilla Sagi.

"... The AMA recommends, in fairness to the Athlete, that the case be closed against the Athlete based on the Sample," the IWF email said.

She said the AMA told the IWF on May 28 that there were "certain nonconformities" at the time of Chanu's sample analysis.

"As a result, the IWF decided to drop the charges against the Athlete based on sample 159 90 00 and to close the matter," he added.

Last month, the AMA revealed that it had partially suspended the accreditation of a laboratory in Salt Lake City, which analyzed Chanu's sample, for a month in 2019 due to "non-conformities" related to its documents.

"I am happy in the sense that I am finally officially and free of the doping charges. But what about the chances that I have lost? Who will take responsibility for the mental trauma that I have been living with?" Chanu told PTI from Manipur.

"Who will take responsibility for the mistakes that occurred at all possible levels? Did you put an athlete on suspension for years without a final judgment, and one day you sent an email saying that you are now free of charge?" she added.

Chanu said the IWF has stolen her chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics due to her callous attitude and must issue an apology and compensate her for causing her mental harassment.

"Is this some kind of joke? Does the IWF not care about an athlete's career? Was it the intention of the IWF to ruin my Olympic chances? Every athlete's dream is to get a medal at the Olympics and, by less, participate in games.

For me, that opportunity had been seized by the IWF, "he said.

"This is not how the IWF is supposed to work. The IWF must apologize and give a genuine explanation. The responsible body or organization or the individual should be penalized. I will go to a higher authority and demand compensation from the IWF," he said.

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