TODAY -
Monika's Olympic chances dashed, IWF rejects IOA plea
Source: The Sangai Express / Amlan Chakraborty(PTI)

Beijing, August 10: Despite her being absolved of the dope charge, weightlifter Monika Devi's chances of taking part in Beijing Olympics were dashed today with the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) rejecting her entry in the competition.

Indian Olympic Association's request to allow Monika to participate was turned down by the IWF, IOA President Suresh Kalmadi today said in a statement here.

The IOA "did its best" but IWF simply did not entertain the request to allow Monika enter the field, he said.

"Despite our best of efforts and support, weightlifter Monika Devi will not be able to participate in the ongoing Olympic Games here.

With the lifting event at the Games having already begun, our persuasion with the organisers, the International Olympic Committee and the International Weightlifting Federation has been of no avail," Kalmadi said.

A copy of IWF President Tamas Ajan's communication to BR Gulati, secretary-general of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, was also made available to the media in which the game's world governing body expressed its inability to accommodate Monika.

"Following our previous communication, we hereby inform that according to International Olympic Committee protocol, following the technical Congress that took place on the 7th at 1500 hrs, it is not possible to insert, change or otherwise modify any athlete's participation or any other data for the Olympic Games," Ajan wrote.





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