Commonwealth Games 2018: Investigation launched after syringes found in rooms of Indian athletes in Gold Coast

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), on Saturday, revealed that an investigation has been launched after syringes were found in rooms in the Games Village.

An official in the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) confirmed to Sportskeeda that following a tip-off from a cleaner, they conducted a search in the room occupied by members of the Indian contingent where they found syringes.

CGF chief executive David Grevemberg promised that they would act "expediently" to resolve the issue before the Opening Ceremony, which will be held on 4th April, 2018.

"The CGF medical commission responded to a report from a cleaner of the presence of needles in the athletes' accommodation in the Games village," Grevemberg said at the end of the CGF General Assembly in Gold Coast. "Under the 2018 Commonwealth Games anti-doping standard, a no-needle policy applies to athletes for the entire Games period, unless under approved exemptions."

"If analytical evidence indicates it's worth a follow-up, the CGF medical commission will follow these procedures as set out in the anti-doping standard," he said.

"When we say zero-tolerance, we mean zero-tolerance. We are really focused on being a world leader in integrity," Grevemberg added. However, he also mentioned that there was no time-frame on the results of the investigation being carried out

It has been learnt by Sportskeeda that the syringes were not found in any of the members of the Indian athletics contingent. The weightlifting contingent is camping in Melbourne and will be reaching the Games Village on Sunday. So, that rules them out as well.

Sandeep Mehta, the Chief Public Relations Officer of IOA, told Sportskeeda, "I haven't travelled with the contingent and so, I am in New Delhi. I do not know what exactly has happened."

When we tried to reach out (multiple attempts) to Vikram Sisodia, India's chef-de-mission for the Commonwealth Games, there was no response from his side.

Rajeev Mehta, the General Secretary of the IOA, also could not be reached