Aug 06 2008
Give me public execution if I am dope cheat: Monika
Monica Devi, the Indian weightlifter who was found guilty in dope test and withdrawn from the Indian Olympic contingent on Tuesday night claims that the tests were faulty and she is innocent.
Giving her clarification Monica said, “I don’t know how it has happened. So far the tests that took place haven’t shown any indications. Politics has been played with me. So far four tests have taken place. The results of these four tests haven’t come out yet. A player will never commit such mistakes.”
Pleading innocence after being denied a Beijing flight last night in controversial circumstances, she said, “I am innocent and I am being targeted. This according to me is politics played by Shailaja, along with the Association. I won’t make such a mistake at all because I don’t want to end my career like this,”
While addressing a press conference, she said, “Forget life ban, and give me public execution if I am dope cheat.”
Monika was India’s lone entrant in the 69 kg category and had won silver and two bronze in the Asian Championships in Japan in May this year. She qualified amidst controversy surrounding the other candidate Shailaja Pujari who was accused of bribing the IWF Secretary.
The Indian team got a shock as Monica Devi, who was being dubbed as a medal hope was withdrawn from the squad after she allegedly failed a dope test just hours before the team was to depart for Beijing.
Addressing the media along with Monica was General Secretary of IWF BR Gulati who said, ”There are all chances that samples could have been changed or samples could have been polluted as well. We had informed the government in writing about the inability of the lab to conduct proper test.”
“The entire thing has been sabotaged and it needs to be thoroughly checked.” He added.
