Sanjita gets breather, ban revoked
NEW DELHI: India’s top lifter Sanjita Chanu had something to cheer about after her provisional suspension for an alleged dope violation was revoked by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games champion in 53kg category allegedly tested positive for banned anabolic steroid testosterone during an out-ofcompetition test in Las Vegas before the World Championships in November 2017.
“I am happy that I would be eligible to train for Tokyo Olympics,” said the Manipuri following the decision.
Chanu, however, is not totally in the clear yet as IWF has said that though the suspension is being revoked for now, the final outcome of the case would be announced in due course. If the outcome goes against Sanjita, she will have to serve the remaining of her four-year ban.
In a communication to the lifter on Tuesday, the IWF said, “…we wish to inform you about the decision of the IWF regarding provisional suspension imposed on May 15, 2018. On the basis of information at its disposal, the IWF has decided that the provisional suspension of the athlete shall be lifted as of today (January 22).”
The IWF letter, written by its legal counsel Eva Nyirfa, added,
›
I am happy that I would be eligible to train for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It would be a challenge to regain form but I am determined. SANJITA CHANU, Indian weightlifter
“The IWF hearing panel will render its decision in the athlete’s case in due course. We remain at your disposal for questions.”
Sanjita’s brother, Bijen Kumar, expressed happiness at the development. “When I received an e-mail from IWF past midnight, I became nervous, but I regained composure and read the letter; it is a great day for the family,” he said from Manipur. “We were expecting the decision, good or bad, to come in November or December. The delay has caused us mental agony.”
In July 2017, the IWF had admitted it had erred in giving the exact sample number of the lifter in their report. The world body had given different urine sample numbers in its report to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Sanjita missed the Asian Games in Jakarta and could not apply for the Arjuna award because of the suspension. Her preparations for the 2020 Olympics too have been hampered. Since the time she was provisionally suspended, Sanjita has hardly trained. “It would be a challenge to regain form but I am determined,” she said.
She might not be fit for the national championships in February but should be able to prepare for the Asian Championship in India in April-May.
Bijen believes his correspondence with WADA and the IWF’s “failure to render a decision within a reasonable deadline” could be one of the reasons for the lifting of the provisional suspension.
On January 18, Sanjita had sent a letter to WADA highlighting the delays and discrepancy in the dope sample code. She had also appeared before the IWF panel on October 18.