New Delhi: The Athletics Federation of India strongly refutes the baseless allegations made on its athletes, coach and the Federation, in two articles which were published today in a Delhi-based National daily, with the headlines, ‘When Ukraine coach, Turkey trip don’t mix’, and ‘Official desperation for medals driving athletes into doping’.
“At the outset, the AFI makes it clear that we firmly uphold the belief in the freedom of Press and free expression. However, we are deeply pained that these two articles have carried malicious content, spread falsehood and distrust against the National body for athletics which is committed to nurturing and supporting athletics, and also attempts to thwart the AFI’s efforts to fight the menace of doping by presenting misleading information on behest of vested interest who are promoting doping and trying to derail the women’s 4x400m relay team members. As you are aware, the 4x400m women’s relay team is the reigning Asian Games champion and AG record-holder and capable of performing well at the 2016 Olympics,” AFI press release said.
“First, the AFI is aware of its responsibilities to ensure a clean and drug-free environment for athletes and the sport itself. We are answerable to the public of this country, the various mechanisms that exists in the country to ensure good governance in sports, and constitutionally accountable to our parent body and the law of land for carrying out our activities and responsibilities,” it added.
“Second, it needs to be appreciated that a 90-day intensive training in Turkey’s centre will attract far more international attention and scrutiny, and not escape the attention of the global anti-doping bodies, as compared to training in remote places in India. Last year, as a result of AFI’s initiatives with NADA, more than 1000 Tests were conducted in the field of Athletics alone by the National Anti-Doping Agency. Also, through the initiatives taken by the AFI, NADA has started conducting dope tests on athletes during State Championships also,” AFI said.
“Further, as far as offering state-of-the-art training facilities in the centre in Turkey is concerned, the centre offers the right combination of climatic conditions, sea, land, hills and forest areas which are important for training in one location, but not easily available at most training places.
For information, here are some of the facilities which will be available for our athletes’ training in the Turkey centre:
1. The centre has two very-well equipped sports stadium
2. It also has a very-well equipped weightlifting hall and gymnasium
3. The centre has a 400m Synthetic Hill, which is very rare to find in the world. This facility is very suitable for the 400m runners' hill and undulation with many at different angle inclination slopes for speed endurance preparation.
4. There are also very long suitable sea sand beaches for running and special exercises
5. The camp is close to the sea water and also has two swimming pools inside the Hotel (accommodation centre) with constantly fresh sea water, which is very important for the specific training preparation and for recovery programme after hard sessions
6. There are also facilities for the recovery of Athletes after hard sessions in wet Turkish sauna and in the traditional normal sauna also
7. The climate is unique with the temperature between 24-30 degree celsius and the air of full of sea air-ions. There is also a wonderful forest for the running programme of the athletes