Athletes ran away from Delhi State Athletics Championship due to fear of dope test, Lalit Kumar ran alone in the final of 100 meter race.

Athletes were not seen on the last day of the State Athletics Championship on the warm-up track of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. In fact, during this period, the fear of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was seen among the athletes. On Tuesday, September 27, the athletes ran away after seeing the Anti-Doping Agency officials. A day ago, a video of syringes scattered in the washroom of the stadium had surfaced. After this, the news of presence of NADA officials in the stadium spread and the number of athletes decreased.

During this period, only one athlete Lalit Kumar participated in the 100 meter men’s final. In the junior steeplechase, one athlete continued running even after crossing the finish line. An officer ran and caught him. After which many winners did not participate in the medal ceremony due to the fear that NADA officials might ask for samples for dope test.

Only one participant turned up today for the 100m finals at the Delhi State Championships, fearing dope tests. For a more detailed story read tomorrow’s Express pic.twitter.com/mPeAixgIlB

— Andrew (@AndrewAmsan) September 26, 2023

There were eight finalists in the track event, but only three or four turned up on Tuesday, a senior coach told The Indian Express. A girl in the junior steeplechase event kept running even after crossing the finish line. A doping control officer had to run after him to collect the sample.

“Preparations” for the Delhi State Athletics meet in full swing. Video from JLN stadium that also houses the National Anti-Doping office.
🎥Clip sent by a coach. pic.twitter.com/W7RivSDJ7r

— Andrew (@AndrewAmsan) September 23, 2023

Lalit Kumar was the lone athlete in the men’s 100m final. He told that the remaining seven sprinters did not come to him saying that they were feeling cramps or muscle strain. This was Lalit Kumar’s first event. For him, the sudden disappearance of his fellow competitors was surprising. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said, I was really looking forward to racing against the best athletes. But no one came. Everyone was afraid of getting tested. As an athlete I feel very hurt and disappointed.

Let us tell you that Delhi State Athletics Association President Sunny Joshua said that some players did not even come to collect their medals. Our job is to educate athletes and coaches. But we can’t constantly keep an eye on what they’re doing during practice or behind our backs. Doping is a big threat in athletics and we are strongly against it.