India’s javelin thrower DP Manu faced heartbreak when, days before the Paris Olympics, he received a ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). NADA tested Manu for an anabolic steroid and provisionally banned him, which prevented him from participating in the National Inter-State Athletics Championships—the last qualifying event for the Paris Olympics.
While India’s top javelin stars, Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena, secured direct qualifications, Manu was close to becoming the third Indian javelin thrower to make it to the Olympics via rankings. Unfortunately, the doping ban crushed his Olympic aspirations just weeks before the Games.
Coach Kasinath Naik alleges sabotage
Manu’s long-time coach, Kasinath Naik, believes someone sabotaged Manu’s Olympic dreams and is planning to pursue legal action to seek justice. “DP Manu has been trapped in a fake doping and steroid case. This has been done deliberately by someone. I am confident that Manu never took steroids,” Naik told NNIS Sports during the ongoing National Open Athletics Championships.
“As a coach, I have been with the Indian team for over five years. I have always promoted clean sports. I have coached athletes like Davinder Singh Kang, Shivpal Singh, Neeraj Chopra, and Annu Rani till 2019, and nothing like this ever happened,” Naik added.
Manu Might seek legal help
When asked about Manu’s current state and their next steps, Naik revealed plans to take legal action. “Manu is sad and is unable to talk about this. He is suffering despite making no mistake, and all of this happened so close to the Olympics,” Naik explained. “We are fighting at the moment and planning to take it to the courts to ensure Manu gets justice,” he concluded.
