Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. — AFP/ File
Expressing his sentiments over the stigma marring India’s picture within the sports activities world, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has urged his nation’s athletes to keep away from doping.
The statistics show that doping has turn into a rising downside within the Indian sports activities neighborhood in recent times. In 2022, India had probably the most drug cheaters worldwide, in keeping with a report printed by the World Anti Doping Company (WADA).
In India, 125 of the three,865 samples that had been examined between January and December 2022 had Antagonistic Analytical Findings (AAFs), which signifies that they examined constructive for doping. India is the one nation with greater than 100 constructive checks, in keeping with the analysis. One other WADA report confirmed India was the second-worst nation for constructive doping circumstances by minors.
Talking to Lallantop, Chopra suggested sportsmen to undertake the laborious means for a profitable profession and in addition asserted that the mindset of doping ought to be modified.
“Nowadays doping is a big problem in India among our athletes,” he admitted. He harassed that after doping was within the thoughts, the profession progress within the longer run received troublesome. Such athletes had been unable to play at excessive stage, he added.
“They think that only doping can get them performance, but that is not the truth. It is their hard work, self-belief and proper guidance from the coach that will take you forward.
“Eat well, rest well and work hard. Do everything properly.
“To tell you the truth, once they dope, the dope test happens, and they get caught. They receive a ban of 2-4 years. There is no life in that.”
The star javelin thrower said if they wanted to play at a good level, the mindset of the athletes needed to be changed.
He urged the coaches to prevent their athletes from doping for betterment of sports in the country.
“I request the coaches to not tell them that doping will help them and keep them far away from it,” he mentioned.
Chopra mentioned he felt if the state of affairs improved, their stage of sports activities would turn into higher.
“Nowadays what happens is that any kid who is good in sports, reaches a good level and then he comes under doping. That is an issue. They also need to eat and drink outside carefully,” he maintained.
