Rakesh Babu, Irfan Kolothum removed from Commonwealth Games over breach of 'no needle policy'

Two Indian athletes, Irfan Kolothum Thodi and Rakesh Babu, were on Friday asked to leave the Commonwealth Games(CWG) immediately over breach of "no needle policy".

"Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are in breach of the No Needle Policy after 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," a Commonwealth Games Federation(CGF) statement said.

Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi were not permitted to participate in the Commonwealth Games "with immediate effect".

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," CGFpresident, Louise Martin said.

"As we have said previously, the Commonwealth Games takes a no-tolerance approach to these matters,"Louise Martin said, adding,"When the Commonwealth Games Federation says no tolerance, the Commonwealth Games Federation means no tolerance."

Their testimonies, swearing innocence were declared "evasive and unreliable" by the CGFcourt.

"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," Louise Martin said.

Irfan had finished 13th in the 20km race walk event while 28-year-old Rakesh Babu was set to participate in today's triple jump final after qualifying 12th for the competition.

Babu had however injured himself during the qualifiers on Thursday and was unlikely to compete today.

“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," the statement added.

"They will definitely be punished by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) as well. It is an embarrassment for us. There will be an inquiry after the Games is over and it will be time-bound. The panel will be appointed after the Games," AFI Secretary C K Valson said after the CGF court stripped them of their accreditation and asked them to leave for India.