As the distance runners entered the home stretch in the men’s 5000m at the recent National Open in Bengaluru, strangely they decided to stick together. Nobody appeared keen to win the race, perhaps worried that they would have to undergo a dope test if they did. And they almost finished as a bunch.
Days before that, many athletes suddenly vanished when the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) officials turned up at the Delhi State Championships. In the end, just one athlete ran the 100m final and a steeplechaser continued to run even after crossing the finish line, to evade dope testers. And many skipped the medals ceremony that dramatic day as dope-testers kept a close watch.
While Indian athletics looks rosy and promising after the fine Asian Games show, there is also the other dark side which is showing its ugly head more and more.
