The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has sought an explanation from wrestler Vinesh Phogat regarding her absence during a scheduled dope test.
In a “whereabouts failure” notice issued to Phogat on Wednesday, NADA directed her to explain why she was unavailable for a dope test on September 9 at her residence in Kharkhoda village, Sonepat.
Athletes registered with NADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to provide details about their whereabouts for dope tests. If an athlete is unavailable for a test despite submitting this information, it is classified as a “whereabouts failure.”
“You are hereby given a formal notice to notify you about the apparent failure to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the ADR and to invite you to make any comments before we come to a final decision on the matter,” NADA’s notice said.
“A Dope Control Officer (DCO) was sent to test you on that day at the specified time and place. However, he was unable to locate you for testing as you were not available at the given location,” it said.
As per NADA regulations, Phogat must either accept the failure or provide proof that she was at the specified location for the required 60-minute window.
However, a single whereabouts failure does not constitute an anti-doping violation. An becomes liable for sanctions if they accumulate three whereabouts failures, either due to filing failures or missed tests, within a 12-month period.