There must be zero tolerance for violations in sport

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This is a top place that calls for shame rather than applause. India has surpassed the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) list of ineligible persons due to doping violations with 148 suspended track and field athletes, new reports stated.

The list includes those serving a period of ineligibility as a result of national level cases and decisions. It also includes those who have committed non-doping violations such as tampering, evading testing, trafficking, which carry the same penalties as a doping offence.

The Athletics Integrity Unit is an independent anti-doping watchdog established by the World Athletics. It has jurisdiction over international level athletes and their support people, explained reports.

This is an appeal to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to take the strictest measures. Track down centres in the country linked to this and ensure they are shut down. Once shut down, they must not be allowed to re-open. The ban must be permanent. All centres must also have surprise checks by AFI officials.

While this may sound Utopian, a ‘whistleblower' policy within, where an athlete feels they have an avenue to complain in anonymity if they feel a coach/official is forcing them to take a doping substance may also be useful and work in closing the power gap.

We have so many reports of very young athletes who years later claimed they were coerced into taking a banned substance or part of a ‘system' where athletes are pawns.

Coaches/trainers who are called out must be investigated and if accusations are credible, must be banned. Athletes need counselling and awareness sessions where information about consequences and repercussions are explained. Take the toughest stand against doping.