Former ace runner Milkha Singh, nicknamed 'the Flying Sikh' wants to see harsh punishment meted out to Indian dope cheats...

Take back Arjuna awards from dope cheats: Milkha Singh

Former ace runner Milkha Singh, nicknamed 'the Flying Sikh' wants to see harsh punishment meted out to Indian dope cheats...

Many believe a doping scandal is as bad as match fixing or corruption in sports. It came as no surprise when one of India's greatest athletes, Milkha Singh demanded the harshest punishment for four wrestlers, a shot-putter and two swimmers, all part of India's Commonwealth Games squad who have tested positive in recent days for methylhexaneamine - a banned stimulant.

Two female swimmers, Richa Mishra and Jyotsna Pansare, tested positive on Sunday, two days after three male wrestlers, Rajiv Tomar, Sumit Kumar and Mausam Khatri, female wrestler Gursharanpreet Kaur and shot-putter Saurav Vij were found guilty of doping.

"Strict action should be taken against these dope cheats so that the next generation of athletes don't dare to take drugs," Milkha told MiD DAY yesterday.

The Flying Sikh also went on to say that prestigious awards like the Arjuna should be taken back. Tomar is a recipient of it. "The government should take back his Arjuna award. This will set an example for upcoming athletes," added the 75-year-old.

Milkha, the only Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist in athletics, also felt that coaches and doctors of these athletes should be immediately suspended. Said Milkha: "I feel coaches and doctors are responsible for this shameful act. They are the ones who need to educate these athletes and also look into why they are doing this."

He added: "Athletes should avoid taking banned substances. There is no sense of pride left for a sportsperson after using them. It is morally depressing. I have seen many athletes ending their lives."

Medal prospects
Mishra, who won three individual gold medals at the recent national aquatics championships, and wrestler Tomar were considered medal prospects for CWG.

"It (doping scandal) will surely affect our performances and medals tally at the Games. I don't understand why they take these drugs," an upset Milkha said.

The recent doping shame is another blow for Delhi's Commonwealth Games image, which was already tarnished by corruption and financial irregularities. "This act has brought disrepute to the country. And being the host nation, it is all the more shameful. Stadiums should have been ready three to four years ago. Training and preparation (for athletics) should have started at least eight years ago. Now it is too late for everything. I only hope that they manage to clinch at least one gold in athletics," he signed off.

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