New Delhi: The doping charge against Manipuri weightlifter Monika Devi has created a political controversy with the Prime Minister’s Office pushing for her inclusion in the Indian Olympic squad and the state Chief Minister lobbying for her.
Monika was removed from the Olympic squad on Wednesday after she failed a doping test conducted on July 29. Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday and reportedly told him that Manipuris felt insulted by Monika’s expulsion from the Olympic team.
The Manipur Olympic Association, at a meeting in Imphal on Friday, decided it would boycott any national championship if Monika were not sent to Beijing. PTI reports a 24-hour strike was organised in Manipur on Friday to show solidarity with Monika, who alleges she has been framed.
The Sports Authority of India cleared Monika of the doping charge on Saturday but it is almost sure that she wouldn’t be able to make it to Beijing.
"It is too late for Monika to come to Beijing now and take part in the Olympic Games because we have closed the entry process," said Randhir Singh, general secretary of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Singh told PTI that though Monika’s event—the 69kg weight category competition—is scheduled for August 13 it was still too late. "It is not the national games—it is Olympic Games and only IOC can take a decision," Singh told PTI.
Baljit Singh Sethi, deputy chef-de-mission of the Indian Olympic contingent, said, "Monika just cannot take part in the Beijing Olympics.
"As of now, the organisers have not accepted her entry and to be honest I don't see her competing here," Sethi said.
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