Commonwealth Games 2018: 2 Indian athletes banned after needles found in room

Update - 10:45 am IST: India confirms appeal against the ban of Rakesh Babu and KT Irfan in Gold Coast. 

"We don't agree with some decisions, and we will discuss with our higher authorities. We will appeal against these decisions," general team manager Namdev Shirgaonker was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India. 

Triple jumper Rakesh Babu and race walker Irfan Kolothum Thodi have been asked to return home from Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast after a needle and a syringe were found in their bedroom at the Commonwealth Games village. 

The two athletes' accreditation was suspended and they were asked to leave Australia as early as possible Thursday, April 12. They are reportedly staying at their friend's place after being evicted from the Games village. 

The needle was found in a cup in the bedroom occupied by the two Indian athletes by an Incognitus cleaners operations manager. The syringe was found in the bag of Rakesh, who qualified for the men's Triple Jump final in Gold Coast on Thursday. 

Rakesh and Irfan along with chef de mission of the Commonwealth Games Association of India (CGA India), Vikram Singh Sisodia, Shirgaonker and athletics team manager Ravinder Chaudhry appeared for a Commonwealth Games Federation hearing Thursday, April 12.

Unreliable and evasive testimony from Rakesh and Irfan

• Athletes asked to leave Australia "on the first flight available"

"The testimony of an Incognitus Cleaners Operations Manager as to the discovery of a needle in a cup on the bedside table in bedroom 2 of Apartment 7 in the Games Village assigned to CGA India and occupied by Rakesh Babu - Athlete, Triple Jump, and Irfan Kolothum Thodi - Athlete, Race Walk ("Bedroom 2") is credible," CGF president Louise Martin CBE said, according to the statement. 

"The testimony of the Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) Principal Investigator as to the discovery of a syringe in the bag of Rakesh Babu found in Bedroom 2 which said bag Rakesh Babu admitted to be his property is credible," he added. 

"The testimony of athletes Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi who denied all knowledge of the needle in the cup in Bedroom 2 and the further testimony of Rakesh Babu that he had no knowledge of the syringe found in his bag in Bedroom 2 are both unreliable and evasive.

"Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are in breach of the No Needle Policy in that they failed to ensure compliance with the No Needle Policy and, in particular, failed to ensure compliance with paragraphs I, II, III and IV of the No Needle Policy.

"In the circumstances: The CGF shall issue a strong reprimand to Vikram Singh Sisodia, Namdev Shirgaonker, and Ravinder Chaudhry that they and other persons failed to ensure compliance with the No Needle Policy. The CGF shall advise Vikram Singh Sisodia, Namdev Shirgaonker and Ravinder Chaudhry that any further infractions by any member of the Indian Team of the No Needle Policy could result in the withdrawal of accreditation of the offending person.

"Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect not permitted to participate in the Games.

"The accreditation of Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi was suspended with effect from 09:00 hours on April 13, 2018. Both athletes were removed from the Games Village.

"We have asked the Commonwealth Games Association of India to ensure both athletes depart Australia on the first flight available."

Notably, this is the second time that the Indian Gold Coast contingent has come under the scanner of CGF as the boxing contingent was warned for the same offense ahead of the start of the Games.