CGF Statement on Breach of its 'No Needle Policy' at Gold Coast 2018

For immediate release, 13 April 2018

Read by CGF President, Louise Martin CBE at the CGF Daily Media Briefing on 13 April 2018

On 12 April 2018, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Federation Court heard a complaint

made by the CGF Medical Commission against members of the Indian team competing at the XXI

Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.

The Chef de Mission of the Commonwealth Games Association of India ("CGA India"), Vikram Singh

Sisodia; General Team Manager, Namdev Shirgaonker; Athletics Team Manager, Ravinder Chaudhry;

two athletes, Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi; and other individuals (Team Managers) associated

with CGA India were found by the CGF Federation Court to be in breach of the CGF No Needle Policy for

the Games (the "No Needle Policy"). All five individuals were found to be in breach of the Policy.

Having heard all the parties and considered all the evidence at the hearing which took place on 12 April

2018 before the Federation Court of the Commonwealth Games Federation ("CGF"), the Court found as

follows:

"Notwithstanding the explanations given to the Court as to the actions taken to communicate the CGF

regulations and policies applicable to the XXI Commonwealth Games (the "Games") to Team Managers,

Vikram Singh Sisodia - Chef de Mission, Namdev Shirgaonker - General Team Manager, and Ravinder

Chaudhry - Manager, Athletics Team, and other persons acting on behalf of the Commonwealth Games

Association of India ("CGA India") are in breach of the CGF No Needle Policy for the Games (the "No

Needle Policy") in that they failed to ensure compliance with the No Needle Policy.

"The testimony of an Incognitus Cleaners Operations Manager as to the discovery of a needle in a cup

on the bedside table in bedroom 2 of Apartment 7 in the Games Village assigned to CGA India and

occupied by Rakesh Babu - Athlete, Triple Jump, and Irfan Kolothum Thodi - Athlete, Race Walk

("Bedroom 2") is credible.

"The testimony of the Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) Principal Investigator as to the

discovery of a syringe in the bag of Rakesh Babu found in Bedroom 2 which said bag Rakesh Babu

admitted to be his property is credible.

"The testimony of athletes Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi who denied all knowledge of the

needle in the cup in Bedroom 2 and the further testimony of Rakesh Babu that he had no knowledge of

the syringe found in his bag in Bedroom 2 are both unreliable and evasive.

"Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are in breach of the No Needle Policy in that they failed to

ensure compliance with the No Needle Policy and, in particular, failed to ensure compliance with

paragraphs I, II, III and IV of the No Needle Policy.

"In the circumstances: The CGF shall issue a strong reprimand to Vikram Singh Sisodia, Namdev

Shirgaonker and Ravinder Chaudhry that they and other persons failed to ensure compliance with the No

Needle Policy. The CGF shall advise Vikram Singh Sisodia, Namdev Shirgaonker and Ravinder

Chaudhry that any further infractions by any member of the Indian Team of the No Needle Policy could

result in the withdrawal of accreditation of the offending person.

Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect not permitted to participate in the

Games.

The accreditation of Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi was suspended with effect from 09:00 hours

on April 13, 2018. Both athletes were removed from the Games Village."

We have asked the Commonwealth Games Association of India to ensure both athletes depart Australia

on the first flight available.

As we have said previously, the Commonwealth Games takes a no tolerance approach to these matters.

When the Commonwealth Games Federation says no tolerance, the Commonwealth Games Federation

means no tolerance.

ENDS

About the CGF

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and

control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports

Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring

Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.

For more information please contact:

CGF Communications

Ben Nichols, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

+ 44 (0) 7788 580790 / +61 (0) 478 648973b.nichols@thecgf.commedia@thecgf.com