Life ban likely for tainted shot putter

The Athletics Federation of India were hoping for a dope-free 20th Asian Athletics Championship here but the hosts received a major setback on the opening day when an inter-state gold-medallist shot putter had to be sent back home after testing positive for dope. Udaya Laxmi, a gold medallist in the last month’s inter-state athletics meet in Chennai, tested positive for methylhexaneamine in a test conducted by NADA on her ‘A’ sample. The AFI acted promptly and barred her from the event.

“We have a zero tolerance policy on doping. We acted as per the rules and sent her back after being informed by NADA on her ‘A’ sample,” said AFI president Addille Sumariwalla.

Since the rules prohibit any replacement, India will now have two shot putters, Neha Singh and Navjit Kaur, who won silver and bronze respectively at the Chennai meet. With Laxmi’s exit, India’s official strength is now 107. This is not the first time Laxmi has tested positive and she now faces the prospect of being banned for life.

“Yes, we have been told that this is her second offence. She can get her B sample tested and if she does that, we will wait for the result. We need to check her previous offence and if it is indeed true, she will be banned,” said AFI secretary C.K Valson.

The head of AFI’s medical team, A.K Mendiratta, said that random dope tests will not cover medal winners only but other athletes as well.

“I am here to observe that tests are being carried out as per the rules of IAAF. There are 14 officials from Nada who will be carrying out the tests.”