"I have not received any official communication so far. The medal is still with me." That's how Asian Games 800 metres silver medallist S Santhi reacted to reports that she had failed a gender test and might be stripped off her medal.
She was talking to reporters after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi honoured four sportspersons from the state with cash awards for their medal-winning feats at the Asian Games.
Apart from presenting a cheque of Rs 15 lakh for her silver-winning effort at Doha, the Chief Minister also handed over a Plasma television set to Santhi following reports that her parents, who hail from Kathakkurichi village in Pudukkottai district, could not watch their daughter winning the silver medal as they did not have one.
Refusing to be drawn into controversy, she said, "I am still the winner [of the medal] in the 800 metres event. I have not received any official communication so far."
Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran, long jumper Anju George and squash player Saurav Ghosal were presented Rs 20 lakh, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh respectively for winning gold, silver and bronze at the Asiad.
Official sources said that while presenting the award, Karunanidhi asked Santhi whether she was confident about her gender and she replied in the affirmative.
Sports and Youth Welfare minister T P M Mohideen Khan told reporters that as far as government was concerned no official communication had been received on Santhi failing a gender test at Doha.
"The Chief Minister had announced the award immediately after Santhi won the medal. Why should we stop giving it. The cash award has been given on humanitarian grounds," he said, and added that she did not commit any mistake.
"It was for the Chief Minister to take a decision," Mohideen Khan said, when asked whether the government would take back the awards if Santhi was stripped off her medal.
International technical official C K Valson, who is also joint-secretary of the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association (TNAA), told UNI that "if Santhi failed the test she cannot participate in any international meet for the next two years. She cannot go on an appeal either as per the rules for the period"
"We have not received any official communique so far. We also came to know about it only through the media. The Olympic Council in Doha has to convey it to the Indian Olympic Association, which in turn will inform the Athletics Federation of India. The AFI will then inform its state unit," he added.
Valson said she could go on appeal after two years following surgery and hormone therapy and could compete again in international meets after getting the necessary clearances.
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