Monika withdrawal raises eyebrows

Sources say Monika, who was in Bhubaneswar for the National Open Athletics Championships, was prevented from participating in the meet due to a doping violation.

Monika Chaudhary had dragged AFI to the court after she was not selected for the Asian Games despite breaching the qualification mark at the National inter-state meet in Guwahati in June. (File Photo)

The last minute withdrawal of women's 1500m runner Monika Chaudhary from the National Open athletics championships at the Kalinga Stadium here raised eyebrows on Wednesday.

While reliable sources informed Sportstar that Monika, who was in Bhubaneswar for the meet, was prevented from participating in the meet due to a doping violation, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) remained tight-lipped about the issue.

“Monika had entered her name for the meet, but she cannot participate here,” said an AFI official without giving any reason.

There is a strong possibility that the middle distance runner was asked to go back after her result came out positive.

Monika had dragged AFI to the court after she was not selected for the Asian Games despite winning the silver medal by clocking 4:12.44 in the National inter-state meet in Guwahati in June, breaching the qualification mark of 4:16.88. The Delhi High Court had asked the AFI to take a fresh trial of Monika on August 22 following which the athlete was selected for the Asian Games.

According to another source, Monika's tests, most likely, returned positive after the special trial in Delhi last month. The name of the substance is not known.