New Delhi,
Aishwarya Babu is India’s leading triple jumper. 25-year-old Aishwarya hails from Karnataka. He set a record by winning the gold medal at the Inter-State National Athletics Championship held in Chennai in June last year with a throw of 14.14 meters.
A sample collected from him during this tournament was tested and it was found that he had used the doping agent Astarin. Following this, he was dropped from the Indian squad for the Commonwealth Games. He was later suspended from any matches since July.
The Disciplinary Action Committee of the National Anti-Doping Agency conducted an inquiry into this. In her written statement to the committee, Aishwarya said, ‘I have not taken any dope to enhance my performance on the field. In February 2021, he injured his shoulder while lifting weights while exercising at the gym.
I recovered from the injury by taking treatment for it. When I participated again in the national athletics competition, I experienced pain in my shoulder again. I was afraid that I would have to miss the match due to this.
Then I consulted my fellow athlete Jagdees about this. He took an Astarin tablet. The pain will go away. He said that there will be no problem. After that I took that pill. He had said that he had never taken stimulants on purpose.
His contention was not accepted by the Disciplinary Action Committee. Questioning why he did not approach a hospital or an accredited doctor for the injury, the committee said, ‘He has shown complete disregard for following the advice of his fellow athlete. Aishwarya is banned from playing for 4 years based on a detailed investigation of the facts and circumstances.
This moratorium will be taken into account from July 18, 2022. “After the doping test, the medals won by him will be forfeited and his competition results will be disqualified,” it said. He can appeal against the ban within 6 days.