CHENNAI: In a contentious move, the Athletics Federation of India has decided to initiate action against three quarter-milers — Anilda Thomas, Anu Raghavan and Anju Thomas — for ‘skipping’ the national camp.
The three, who are part of the 4x400 relay squad slated to train abroad under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), were informed that they will be banned from domestic and international competitions since they refused to be part of the national camp in Patiala, being held under dope-tainted foreign coach Yuri Ogorodnik.
The AFI had issued a show-cause notice on September 24 asking the athletes to report to the camp in three days and with them not turning up, a notice signed by AFI secretary CK Valson was sent to the athletes on Monday. It said their names had been removed from the national camp list.
“As you have not reported for the camp so far, your name has been deleted from the list of campers and other necessary proceedings will start against you,” read the AFI notification.
Anilda, winner of the 400m in the 35th National Games, and Anu Raghavan, current 400m hurdles national champion, are training with their personal coach at SAI centre in Thiruvananthapuram under the Kerala government’s Elite Scheme. Anju is an employee of Kerala Police.
According to sources, the athletes had responded to AFI’s show-cause notice saying that they can’t relocate to Patiala as it would disrupt their studies. Anu is pursuing a Masters degree. Anilda is attending the last semester of graduation course.
When contacted by Express, Anu said she opted out of the camp for educational concerns. Anilda said she is under medication for respiratory ailments. Anju was not available for comment.
Sources in the Kerala Athletics Association said the three were not happy with the training programme in the camp and wanted to stick with their old coach.
“Patiala’s climate is one factor. But the real issue is they don’t want to train with Yuri. Their achievements so far have come under their coach in Kerala,” he said.
The AFI officials maintained the three were asked to join the camp since they are vital cogs in Rio Olympic preparations of the 4x400m relay team. It’s learned that top 10 quarter-milers will be sent to Turkey.
“Without them, preparations of the team will be affected,” said Valson. However, he declined to comment on the ban and said further action against the athletes will be taken soon.