Doping scandal has made me stronger: Ashwini

Ashwini Akkunji and other five track and field stars were handed one-year bans by a disciplinary panel of the National Anti-Doping Agency on Friday. Asian and commonwealth gold medal winner Ashwini Akkunji gets candid with N K Suprabha about her ban and future plans...

You have been punished with one-year ban by a disciplinary panel of the National Anti-Doping Agency. Does this doping scandal and banning upset you as an athlete?
No, this scandal has made me stronger and I don’t want to look back and cry. I want to move on and get as much as medals for the country and looking for improving my timings and performance.
 
What is your reaction to the one-year ban decision?
They have cut down our punishment period from two years to one year. This allowed me to participate in London Olympics if not in relay, at least in individual level. We have qualifying race in relay on July 2,2012 and Individual level on July 8th. As my banning period finishes on July 4th, I can participate in individual level but not in relay. We had a chance of getting medal in relay and this ban has turned that down. At the individual level I can’t hope for a medal as competition is very tough.

Are you not going to appeal further to allow you to participate in relay team in London Olympics?
We are in discussion with authorities regarding cutting our banned period for some 15 days which which will allow us participate in relay. But, the process is on. They will decide with in 4-5 days weather to apply for further concession or not. But as per rule the minimum banning period is one year and they can’t cut down that further. Though, I am hopeful that I can get a chance to participate in relay also.

Don’t you think you have suffered for the mistake done unintentionally?
In sports such mistakes happen and we need to oblige the punishment. There are some specific rules for sports which I need to follow as an athlete. But, I am happy and relieved as authority has now understood that we are not culprits and mistake happened without our notice. And, if they would have punished us with two years ban we would have lost one more year of performance. But, now we have already spent six months and have to bear other six months and can jump in to field soon.

How can you guarantee that the mistake would not repeat next time?
We need to be sure and clarify with medical instructors while taking any pills or syrups. But India does not have many laboratories to testify these medicinal products. We have NADA, a government agency in Delhi, a lone laboratory all the national and state level athletes have to rely on it. Countries like America have several laboratories in all centers from which athletes can testify all important medicines. Vast country like India has only one laboratory is the reason for the mistakes that occur time and again.

Does sports authority of India give suggestions or consultancy regarding banned medicines?
They arrange a camp for national athletes to explain about doping materials. But there are more than 350 banned items and it is difficult to memorise all of them. We are bearing the brunt of taking prescribed materials, which are contaminated. Both our coach and we have suffered a lot because of dearth of information regarding medicinal products. I want every athlete to check and testify any medicine she or he wants to take. Sports personal should be educated with information regarding banned items in preliminary level itself. State governments should start to teach subjects relating this at least for state level athletes and those who are interested in sports. If we have studied about it at preliminary level and had methodical information about banning items, we could definitely cut down the height of shame we are enduring in International level sports championships.
 
What is your next goal?
Olympics are not the final stage. Though, I am banned from participating in relay in London Olympics, I will definitely participate in individual level. I know I don’t have international standard to get medals at the individual level as my timing is only 56 minutes. As per international standard of timing, I need to improve my timings at least to 52 to 53 minutes to fetch any medal. But, I am sure I will get medals for country in next commonwealth, Asian games and world championships.

What are your suggestions for aspiring athletes?
Beware of banning items before taking some and falling in to net. Don’t loose hope if something goes wrong. Just keep on trying and play for yourself and for the country. There is nothing to feel bad. Just play your game.