Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu has failed a dope test, however now she is determined to challenge the provisional suspension imposed on her. On Friday, she spoke against the alleged crime, insisting that she is innocent.
“I am innocent, I have not taken any banned substance. I will challenge this with the help of the national federation,” Sanjita told PTI.
Chanu brought India glory when became the second Indian woman weightlifter after Kunjarani Devi to win gold in two different editions of the CWG (Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018). She overcame her opponent, but now faces the risk of losing her Gold Coast CWG gold in the women’s 53 kg category due to the doping scandal.
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Based on the doping reports, she was suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) as she tested positive for testosterone. She was tested during an out-of-competition test prior to the World Championship in Anaheim (US) in November last year. However, on guarantee of the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) President Sahdev Yadav, she was left unsupervised.
The 24-year-old is India’s biggest hope for the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia. Also for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme prepares and includes her.
“We don’t understand why the dope result took so long. After the sample was taken, she competed in the World Championship in November last and then she won a gold in the Gold Coast CWG in April. We will fight it out why this is happening,” Yadav said.
“In any case, we have written that we would go for the ‘B’ sample test. After we got the results we will hire a top lawyer to present our case at the hearing (at the international federation). I am sure Sanjita has not taken any banned drugs. I am confident we will prove her innocence,” he added.
If Sanjita’s ‘B’ sample also tests positive, she could be banned from the sport for a four-long-year term.
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