Ex-weightlifting champ blames IWF for dope taint

HURT: Sydney bronze medallist Karnam Malleshwari is upset by the doping scandals.

      

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New Delhi: Karnam Malleshwari, the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, reacted to the recent doping scandal in her sport saying she was extremely upset by it.

The former weightlifting champion also said that the Indian Weightlifting Federation was at fault for not controlling doping menace.

"I feel sad and we have done a lot for the sport. We have given our best to bring this sport to up to the international level but the players of today have spoiled it in no time. They have destroyed it very easily. If someone is caught doping the first time they should be banned for two years and for any subsequent offence there should be a life ban," Malleshwari said.

"There is also a talk of how many weightlifters were caught doping the previous Olympics. These people have devalued my medal," she said.

When asked why weightlifting is in the news for doping scandals, Malleshwari blamed the Indian Weightlifting Federation.

"I will only blame the federation for this. Out federation is very corrupt due to which the players take drugs to improve their performance. They have seen that some of the senior players caught doping have been let off without any punishment or are back in the camp after paying money so nothing will happen to us too if we take drugs. So the players have become more prone to doping. Now the situation is so bad that before every major competition our players fail the dope test. This will ruin our sport and bring a bad name to our country," she added.

Without taking any names, she blamed some coaches for encouraging their trainees to take drugs.

"There is one coach who goes to international competitions and brings back banned drugs. She then sells then to those under her training ate double the price. These type of coaches are destroying the career of their wards," the Sydney Olympics bronze medal winner said.