Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Vice-Chairman, Randhir Singh, on Tuesday dismissed the claims of dope-tainted athletes that they were not aware of the banned substances and said that those guilty would be punished under anti-doping rules.
Eighteen athletes in five sports recently tested positive for banned substances, at least 11 of them for methylhexanamine, and they have claimed they were not told about prohibited drugs by their respective federations.
Singh, also the Indian Olympic Association Secretary-General, said the athletes were aware of prohibited drugs and there was no excuse for taking them. "Sports Authority of India and respective federations circulate (brochures) about prohibited drugs. The team doctors know it and they must have informed the athletes," he said.
"It is simple, you take the prohibited drugs or you don't. If you take, the WADA rules are very tough. Everybody who takes banned drug will have to be punished. For the offence you can be banned,” Randhir said.