NADA Issues Notice to Wrestler Vinesh Phogat for Incorrect Location Info: Respond Within 14 Days to Avoid Penalties

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has sent a notice to wrestler Vinesh Phogat for failing to provide accurate information regarding her residence. NADA has requested a response from Vinesh within 14 days. In the notice, the agency stated that Vinesh made a mistake by not disclosing her residence information, as she was unavailable for a doping test at her home in Kharakoda village, Sonipat, on September 9.

The notice from NADA reads: “This notice has been issued to inform you of your apparent failure to comply with the location information requirements under anti-doping regulations and to obtain your response before a final decision is made on this matter. The Doping Control Officer (DCO) was sent to the location on that day to conduct your test, but they were unable to do so because you were not present at the venue.”

All athletes included in NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to inform about their availability for doping tests. If a player is not available at the location provided, it is considered a failure to disclose their whereabouts. NADA can only charge an athlete if they violate the location information rules three times within a 12-month period.

What’s Next?

Vinesh will have to either accept the violation or provide evidence that she was present at the location for nearly 60 minutes. She may argue that the failure related to her residence does not constitute a violation of anti-doping regulations.

Vinesh Busy with Election Campaign

Vinesh is currently busy campaigning in the Julana area alongside her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia. This month, her fellow wrestler Bajrang Punia has recently joined the Congress party and is contesting in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections from the Julana constituency.

Vinesh Announces Retirement After Disqualification at Paris Olympics

Vinesh announced her retirement after being disqualified at the Paris Olympics. Despite reaching the finals, she was unable to secure a medal due to being disqualified for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams. She later appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but her appeal was rejected.

She reached the finals by winning three consecutive matches in the 50 kg weight category, becoming the first Indian female wrestler to reach the Olympic finals.