Discus thrower Vikas Gowda is one of many world-class athletes supported by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a Mumbai-based NGO funding sportspersons with potential to win an Olympic gold medal for India.
Engaged in preparation for Rio Olympics 2016, he is an elite performer in a sport, which is under the spotlight from Friday night. World athletics ruling body, IAAF, announced provisional suspension for Russia from international meets for doping violation, banned athletes and coaches named by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The OGQ is clear about financial aid to sportspersons on its support list caught in the doping net. “It is made clear to sportspersons that funding will stop for anyone caught for doping. It is not possible to monitor anyone 24x7, so educating athletes, communicating with them and creating a setup is our way,” said Viren Rasquinha, CEO, of the NGO co-founded by Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone.
Gowda, one of Asia’s leading discus throwers, is a performer with whom the organisation is in constant touch.
Rasquinha said: “We ask each sportsperson supported by the OGQ to clear any new medicine he/she is
taking through our sports medicine experts. Top performers, including athletes are in touch with WADA as per procedure for dope testing, so anything they take in the normal course as medicine or supplements are on the cleared list.”
Gowda is ranked fifth in IAAF list of discus throwers, the only Asian in the first five (behind two from Poland, one each from Belarus and Estonia).
Athletics is under the scanner due to IAAF strictures against Russia, a superpower in track and field, including probable exclusion from Rio Olympics in 2016. Indian women track runners trained by foreign coaches tested positive in the recent past for doping, apart from junior throwers.
Rasquinha elaborates that orders from coaches are obeyed by athletes without questioning.
“For most sportspersons in India, the coach is god, so if told by the coach to take a capsule for performance enhancement, the athlete will obey because he/she trusts the coach totally. No questions are asked. Educating athletes about banned substances and keeping communicating lines open with them is one way to curb the problem here,” he said.
Earlier coached by father Shive Gowda (decathlete), Gowda now receives specialised training from ex-USA shot put champion John Godina at Phoenix.
“It is not possible to monitor Vikas, since we cannot visit him regularly like we do with others in India, so communication via phone and email is maintained about training, recovery and other aspects,” said the OGQ spokesperson.
“We are planning a workshop on doping in sport for all athletes on our list. Since sportspersons have different training schedules and are based in various places, it is difficult logistically to bring them at one venue for the workshop under a sports medicine expert,” he said.
