Parveen Hooda set to miss 2024 Paris Olympics after WADA suspension
The Indian boxing contingent could lose one spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics following the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) suspending Parveen Hooda.
Hooda allegedly failed to disclose her whereabouts details, as required by WADA’s rules and has thus been handed an 18-month suspension. She is said to have picked up three whereabouts failures between April 2022 and March 2023.
Her coach Sudhir Hooda confirmed the same and stated that the news has left them "shattered."
"Parveen has been provisionally suspended by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) for a period of 18 months. The news has left us completely shattered," he said (via The Hindustan Times).
"Repeated reminders were sent to Parveen, BFI, and then chief coach (Bernard Dunne) but everyone ignored the emails. Parveen took the matter casually and paid the price," he added.
Hooda secured a spot at the Paris Olympics by winning the women's 57kg bronze medal at the Asian Games last year.
The 24-year-old Haryana native beat Uzbekistan's Sitora Turdibekova by unanimous decision to reach the semifinals, where she lost to two-time world champion Lin Yu Ting.
"We are trying to make sure the quota stays" - BFI in talks to have Parveen Hooda's suspension overturned
Parveen Hooda's suspension by the World Anti Doping Agency has resulted in the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) working overtime to ensure India does not lose a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In sports like wrestling or shooting, the Olympic quotas belong to the National Olympic Committees (NOC) who can pick which athletes will take part in the quadrennial event.
In boxing, however, quotas are awarded to the athlete who has won it and if Hooda's suspension stands, India cannot send someone else in her stead.
"So far, no quota has been taken away from India. We are working hard to ensure we keep the quota. We have filed our replies and talks are ongoing. No decision has been taken yet but we are trying to make sure the quota stays," said BFI general secretary Hemanta Kalita (via The Indian Express).