Never asked AITA to take up Venus’ issue with IOC: Sania
— Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has rubbished claims that she had asked All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) to look into Venus Williams’ doping issue.
A Russian hackers group, Fancy Bears, hacked into the World AntiDoping Association (Wada) system and released confidential medical reports of several world famous athletes, including Venus and Serena Williams and American gymnast Simone Biles, who won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Reports emerged that several athletes including the Williams sisters were allowed to use banned substance by Wada under Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).
Under Wada rules, an athlete can be allowed to take substances if they will procure a Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE).
Sania and her partner Rohan Bopanna had lost their mixed doubles semifinals at the Rio Olympic Games to Venus and her partner Rajeev Ram. The American pair went on to win the silver medal last month. If medal-winning athletes are caught doping then the athletes will lose their medals which will then be given to athletes who had lost to them in the previous round.
On Thursday night, reports emerged in India that Sania’s mother approached the All India Tennis Association president to take up the Venus issue with the higher authorities at the Indian Olympic Association and International Olympic Association.
“She (Sania’s mother Naseema) informed that Williams sisters have failed Wada dope test and we should take it up with the IOA and IOC,” a source told PTI.
But Sania took to Twitter on Friday to the clear the air. The world number one doubles player posted an image of the letter sent to the media by Aita in which the national body has denied any approach from Sania and her family on the Venus doping issue.