Dope offender Dipa Karmakar’s return to training camp as per WADA rules, says gymnastics federation

GFI president Sudhir Mittal quoted Article 10.14.2 of WADA that states: “As an exception to Article 10.14.1, an Athlete may return to train with a team or to use the facilities of a club or other member organisation of federation (FIG’s) or other signatory’s member organisation during shorter of the (1) the last two months of Athlete’s period of Ineligibility, or (2) the last one-quarter of the period of Ineligibility imposed.”

“For starters, we have named her as a core probable for the Asian Games in September, not the Asian Championship next month. The selection trials for the Asian Games will happen after July 10 when her suspension ends. This was a long list meant to be sent to the ministry in advance for the Asian Games. There is a WADA clause wherein an athlete can resume training at a camp two months before the end of her ban. Anyway, the national camp for the Asian Games will begin only at the end of July. So where’s the doubt?” Mittal asked.

Dipa is currently serving a 21-month doping ban for Higenamine, starting October 11, 2021, and questions were raised when her name appeared in a list of core probables for the Asian Games. Her suspension ends on July 10.

Dipa’s coach BS Nandy said he was hurt that it was being seen as a backdoor entry, when his ward had been serving her suspension and would only return according to the rulebook. “Is the federation stupid to not consider her ban date? We went by the rules and the WADA circular. The list that we got didn’t even have the date of the camp (May 24), but she’s allowed to start training two months before the ineligibility ends. She’s not doing any international competition or breaking any rules.”

Nandy added that Dipa would regain her FIG licence for international competitions post July 10.

Mittal said Dipa, who finished fourth in the vault at the 2016 Rio Olympics, would only be part of the Asian Games squad subject to the trials and join the national camp at the end of July. “We can’t write off Dipa Karmakar. She’s a medal prospect for us,” he said.