HALL OF SHAME
HT takes a look at other Indians who failed dope tests ahead or during international events.
2004 ATHENS
The weightlifting federation was divided whether to field two lifters Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu for 2004 Athens Olympics Games as there were doubts. The duo though had cleared pre-departure tests, but later on failed dope tests during the Games.
2006 MELBOURNE
Lifters Tajinder Singh and Edwin Raju failed dope tests for anabolic steroid stanozolol before the start of the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Female lifters Shailja Pujari and B Preemavalli were dropped from the team as they failed predeparture tests.
2006 DOHA ASIAN GAMES
India’s leading discus thrower Seema Antil failed dope test before the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Her positive test was kept under wraps by the athletics federation, but she was dropped from the team.
2008 BEIJING ASIAN GAMES
Country’s top lifter Monika Devi failed pre-departure test. She was withdrawn from the 2008 Beijing Games a day before departure. Although she fought and cleared her name, it was too late for competition.
2010 GUANGZHOU ASIAN GAMES
Country’s top male sprinter Suresh Sathya failed pre-departure dope tests. But he went on to compete in the 200m and 4x100m relay team at the Asian Games as the results were announced late.
2010 DELHI COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Five top athletes tested positive for banned substances ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Games, and were dropped from the team. Rajiv Tomar, Sumit, Mausam Khatri and Gursharanpreet Kaur were in wrestling, while Sourabh Vij was a shot-putter. In 2011, six women who were part of the CWG and Asian Games 4x400m relay winning team were caught and banned for two years for doping. Ahead of the 2016 junior world athletics championship, javelin thrower Gaurav Yadav failed a dope test. He was withdrawn from the competition that concluded in Poland.