By IANS,
Beijing : Weightlifter Monika Devi may have been cleared of the doping stigma by an internal committee of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, but the sport’s international body has summarily rejected her entry from the the Beijing Olympic Games.
“Despite our best efforts and support, Monika will not be able to participate in the Olympic Games here,” IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said Sunday.
“With the weightlifting event at the Games having already begun, our persuasion with the organisers, the International Olympic Committee and the International Weightlifting Federation was of no avail,” Kalmadi said in a statement.
A copy of IWF President Tamas Ajan’s communication to Indian Weightlifting Federation secretary-general B R Gulati expressing the inability of the game’s world body to let Monika take part, was also released.
“The International Olympic Committee protocol, following the technical Congress that took place on the 7th at 1500 hrs, makes it clear that it is not possible to insert, change or otherwise modify any athlete’s participation or any other data for the Olympic Games,” Ajan said in his communique.
Monika Devi had returned positive in an out-of-competition dope test on June 6, and was pulled out of the Indian contingent hours before it was to leave for Beijing Tuesday night.