Karnataka’s first winner now first failure

BANGALORE: Ashwini Akkunji had earned the distinction of being the first Karnataka athlete to win a CWG and Asian Games gold medal. Now, the Udipi girl has earned the dubious distinction of being the first from the state to flunk a dope test.

Ashwini, who won the go*ld in the 400 metres hurdles and 4x400 metres relay in the CWG and the 400m hurdles in the Asian Games, has put up a bold front saying she is innocent and took supplements her coach, the now sacked Yuri Ogrodnik of Ukraine, asked her to.

Ashwini’s mobile has been switched off. Her father Chidananda Shetty, reacting to his daughter testing positive, said: “Ashwini is shocked over the result. She does not remember having taken any banned drug during the Games. There is no chance of Ashwini taking any drugs. She had undergone tests while participating in the Asian Games.” But not everyone is prepared to buy that explanation. The Karnataka Athletics Association secretary Sa*tyanarayana, himself a junior international, said: “The athletes are aware of what they are doing or mu*st be aware if they are not. You cannot just blame the coach. If you cannot bring glory to the country, it’s okay but you have no busine*ss to bring disgrace to the country.” Former International athlete Arjun Devaiah was a little more guarded. “Everybody, including the coach and AFI should take the responsibility for this disturbing development. “Since an athlete will always be concentrating only on his or her performance and the attending doctor, coach and dietician who look after their food and drinks, should be held responsibile,’’ the former India middle distance runner said.

Keywords: Latest sports news, Ashwini Akkunji, CWG, Asian Games