My teammates did not cheat: Akkunji

Updated on: 01 July,2011 08:31 AM IST |
Sundari Iyer |

Ashwini Akkunji defended her tainted Commonwealth gold-winning 4x400 relay team teammates Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose after they both flunked their dope tests yesterday

Ashwini Akkunji defendedu00a0 her tainted Commonwealth gold-winning 4x400 relay team teammates Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose after they both flunked their dope tests yesterday.

'A' samples of long jumper Hari Krishnan, sprinter Tiana Mary and shot putter Sonia Kumari are the others who were tested positive for anabolic steroids. They have been provisionally suspended.

Akkunji believes her teammates wouldn't risk their careers by taking steroids or any other performance enhancing drugs.

"I'm very sure they have not cheated or taken any steroids. No athlete will want to risk their careers by taking steroids. I am 100% sure that this is because of food supplements," said the 23-year-old Akkunji.

"It has happened not only to the 4x400 relay team but others as well.u00a0 Many people being tested positive at one go is abnormal. Morally and mentally we are disturbed. Even I have given a dope test some days back and the results are awaited I don't know what it is going to be," she added.

Akkunji is disheartened by the fact that the NADA is not testing their food supplements. "NADA is not checking our supplements. And without that how can you suspend an athlete for two years. Of course we plan to protest. This is not a question of one member but so many athletes are caught," added the Karnataka sprinter.