Wrong diagnosis becomes Jyotirmoyee's nemesis

Wrong diagnosis becomes Jyotirmoyee's nemesis
AMINUL ISLAM

New Delhi, September 6: While most of her `former' teammates are all set to leave the shores for Down Under for the Millennium's first Olympic Games, ace middle-distance runner Jyotirmoyee Sikdar is, at present, leading a secluded life at her 209D, Narkeldanga Railway Colony residence in Calcutta.

Far from the glare of intrusive media and away from the athletic track, Sikdar is resigned to her fate; she won't be able to run in competition anymore.

Nobody has any clue as to what medical doses (injections) were given by the Ukrainian doctor to Sikdar. However, on condition of anonymity, one of the doctors at the SAI Eastern Centre, Calcutta, said that Dr Boyko injected steroids in the affected area. ``Those injections are pain-killers. The pain will subside, but only for a while. And that's exactly what happened to her. Sikdar was not diagnosed properly.''

Interestingly, he suggested that for this type of injury the affected area should have been plastered. ``All that Sikdar needed was complete bed rest.''

Unfortunately, for Sikdar, due to overloading during training the other leg also got affected.

The SAI doctor also suggested another remedial measure that can be adopted if a specialist is called in even at this late stage. ``Sand training will be the perfect antidote for this kind of injury. I'm sure Sikdar still can run for another three to four years and even can participate in the 2002 Commonwealth Games,'' he added.

But Sikdar sounds demoralised. ``No I don't see any hope. And I don't want to run anymore ... My career is over,'' she declares, with absolute finality.