Beijing Olympics 2008

If I fail, shoot me in public

With firm backing from the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF), weightlifter Monika Devi of Manipur claimed innocence and alleged that she is being victimised by some members of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) after she was accused of dope charges.

Monika was the only weightlifter chosen to represent India in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, but was prevented from boarding her flight to Beijing on Tuesday night for testing positive for a banned anabolic salt. She stated that she has no idea which dope test she flunked as she cleared four tests in the last two months.

“I am innocent. I have always stayed away from doping and that is why I was selected in the trials,” a tearful Monika said in New Delhi.

“Everyone knows there are various international tests and no sensible athlete would do that [dope]. I am ready to go to Beijing where my dope test is scheduled for tomorrow. If I fail there leave apart banning me for life, shoot me in public,” she said.

Tags: beijing olympics 2008, beiling olympics, Indian Weightlifting Federation, IWF, monika devi, sai, sports authority of india