Monika Devi
Encyclopedia
Laishram Monika Devi is an India
n weightlifter from Manipur
who won the silver medal in the Women's 69 kg category at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
. Monika was originally part of the Indian squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics
in women's 68 kg category, but was dropped after the Weighlifting Federation stated that she was tested positive in a dope test. But the Prime Minister's Office overruled this decision. But because the final list of participants had already been submitted to the Olympics officials, Monika could not take part in the Games.
where she managed to win a bronze medal.
in Beijing
. But she protested to this stating that the officials have been trying to discard her in favour of another weightlifter Shailaja Pujari. But since the statement from the Federation lacked any credibility, the Prime Minister's Office intervened and approved her participation in the Olympics. But because the list of participants was already submitted to the Olympic authorities, the Indian Olympic Association
stated that Monika cannot take part in the Olympics. Thus she was omitted from the Indian contingent.
In March 2009, Press Trust of India
(PTI) reported that Monika's B sample which was sent to a WADA
-accredited laboratory in Tokyo
was also returned positive. The reported indicated that she could be banned for two years. Monika reacted to this news by saying that she did absolutely nothing wrong. She alleged that there is a huge conspiracy to end her sporting career prematurely. Later, her family accused PTI of reporting incorrect information regarding the B sample result. A family member stated that Monika has not received any such reports yet. Monika's sister L. Mamta stated in a press meet in Manipur
that Monika is going to sue PTI.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n weightlifter from Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
who won the silver medal in the Women's 69 kg category at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia between 15 March and 26 March 2006. It was the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams competing, athletes competing, and events being held.The site...
. Monika was originally part of the Indian squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in women's 68 kg category, but was dropped after the Weighlifting Federation stated that she was tested positive in a dope test. But the Prime Minister's Office overruled this decision. But because the final list of participants had already been submitted to the Olympics officials, Monika could not take part in the Games.
2010 Commonwealth Games
After being cleared of doping charges, Monika competed in the Women's 69 kg category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games2010 Commonwealth Games
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 sports and 272 events, making it the largest Commonwealth Games till date...
where she managed to win a bronze medal.
Controversies
Monika's name was dragged into three controversies regarding the Indian representation in the weightlifting event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Controversy about selection
Monika was shortlisted for the Indian representation at the 2008 Olympics, along with Shailaja Pujari. There were allegations that the weightlifting federation officials were bribed to pick Shailaja for an Olympic berth. The sports ministry intervened in the matter and asked the officials to hold the final selection trials in Patiala instead of Pune. But the federation shifted the venue to Bangalore. However, when the list was officially announced, Monika got the selection ahead of Shailaja. Shailaja was announced a reserve. Monika's selection was unanimous.Controversy about coach
The weightlifting federation announced that Dev Dutt Sharma will coach Monika at the 2008 Olympics. This decision is also a breach of the sports ministry's directive that a woman coach should accompany a woman weightlifter to the Olympics.Controversy about doping and subsequent omission from Olympics
The Weighlifting Federation stated that Monika was tested positive in a dope test conducted in India prior to the Olympics. Subsequently she was omitted from the Indian squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. But she protested to this stating that the officials have been trying to discard her in favour of another weightlifter Shailaja Pujari. But since the statement from the Federation lacked any credibility, the Prime Minister's Office intervened and approved her participation in the Olympics. But because the list of participants was already submitted to the Olympic authorities, the Indian Olympic Association
Indian Olympic Association
The Indian Olympic Association is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at the events...
stated that Monika cannot take part in the Olympics. Thus she was omitted from the Indian contingent.
In March 2009, Press Trust of India
Press Trust of India
Press Trust of India is the largest news agency in India. It is headquartered in Delhi and is a nonprofit cooperative among more than 450 Indian newspapers and has a staff of about 2,000 writers spread across 150 offices nationwide...
(PTI) reported that Monika's B sample which was sent to a WADA
World Anti-Doping Agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency , , is an independent foundation created through a collective initiative led by the International Olympic Committee . It was set up on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of what was called the "Declaration of Lausanne", to promote, coordinate and...
-accredited laboratory in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
was also returned positive. The reported indicated that she could be banned for two years. Monika reacted to this news by saying that she did absolutely nothing wrong. She alleged that there is a huge conspiracy to end her sporting career prematurely. Later, her family accused PTI of reporting incorrect information regarding the B sample result. A family member stated that Monika has not received any such reports yet. Monika's sister L. Mamta stated in a press meet in Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
that Monika is going to sue PTI.