Tainted athlete put on bench by employer

The Indian athlete who recently tested positive to anabolic steroids, Ashwini Chidananda Akkunji, has life on a tailspin.

The funding of Akkunji was provisionally suspended by Olympic Gold Quest, founded by sports icons Prakash Padukone and Geet Sethi. Her employer, city-based Corporation Bank, has temporarily yanking her off their promotional drive.

From Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com:

The bank had launched Ashwini, local lass from Siddapura in Kundapur taluk, with much fanfare on International Women's Day on March 8 as their new young face. A little under four months from that day, the bank for the time being has decided to keep on hold all promotional material involving Ashwini. Reason: Bank does not want to court controversy over the conduct of its employee. Ashwini is a probationary officer with the bank.

Reacting with alacrity to news of Ashwini returning positive for anabolic steroids in the out-of-competition dope tests conducted by NADA on June 27, the bank has removed all advertisement hoardings featuring her. Even the print media publicity ads featuring Ashwini have been put on hold for the time being, a bank official stated.

The doping incident that involved eight Indian athletes has shocked the entire fraternity and sport lovers.