Commonwealth Games 2018: India to face sanctions, but no doping involved despite syringe controversy

What's the story?

On Monday, it was announced that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Medical Commission has concluded its investigation after syringes were found close to the rooms belonging to members of India's boxing team putting up at the Athlete's Village.

Following the investigation, it has been found that the anti-doping rules have not been broken, it was confirmed in a statement.

"This matter is not defined as an anti-doping rule violation, but rather as an infringement of the CGF’s no needle policy, which has been introduced by major events organisers to ensure best medical practices," a CGF spokesperson said in Gold Coast.

In case you didn't know...

Over the last couple of days, the Indian boxing contingent has been under strict scrutiny after syringes were recovered from the common lobby of the their floor in the Commonwealth Athlete's Village.

An investigation was launched into the matter following the discovery. Previously, at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, India had been officially warned about needle usage by the CGF, while similar suspicions arose during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games though no anti-doping rule violations resulted from either case.

Heart of the matter

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was summoned to appear before the Commonwealth Medical Commission to answer questions surrounding the needles. Earlier, chief executive of the Gold Coast Games, David Grevemberg refused to name the country accused.

But the Indian boxing high-performance director Santiago Nieva confirmed the issue related to his team. However he claimed the syringes were used to treat an athlete who had fallen ill and not for any other purpose.

"I'm confident that our boxers (have) not taken anything," Nieva commented. "We had one boxer who didn't feel very well and doctor has given him an injection."

Ever since this investigation started, all the boxers -- 12 men and four women have been thrust under the scanner. Five-time world champion, Mary Kom was also present on the list.

They all had to undergo several drug tests post the discovery of the syringes. But thankfully, none of the results seemed indicative towards doping. However, India will be tried by the CGF's Court for breaching the 'no-needle' policy without prior information.

What's next?

The 'no needle' rules policy states that they can be used by "medically qualified practitioners for the clinically justified treatment of injury, illness or other medical conditions". However if a needle is used without informing the concerned authorities or without submitting a completed 'Injection Declaration Form' to the CGF Medical Commission, then a breach takes place and India has been found guilty of it.

If any country fails to adhere to this CGF No Needle Policy, it could lead to the exposure of the athlete(s) and the entourage responsible for carrying out this action and they will have to undergo additional testing and sanctions as prescribed by the CWG Medical Commission and the CWG Federation Court.

Author's Take

It's a huge relief to see the issue getting cleared up bit by bit. The investigation has proved effective and has cleared India to have committed any doping activity. Barring such negative sides before the Commonwealth Games is to begin from the 4th, India will now have to undergo sanctions to wash their hands off this case. It is hoped that the matter will be put to an end soon, now that the major problem about doping has been resolved.