Sport - Sports : General

Kanika tests positive

PUNE: Woman hammer thrower Kanika Kumari has tested positive for a banned substance. She was withdrawn from the competition in the Commonwealth Youth Games on Wednesday following an adverse analytical finding reported by the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in New Delhi.

It was not immediately known what substance the Delhi hammer thrower had turned up a ‘positive’ result for. Since stimulants are not tested in out-of-competition testing, this class of substances can be ruled out. The sample was collected during an out-of-competition control well before the CYG started.

That something could be amiss with India’s entries for women’s hammer — the other Indian, Reena Kumari finished eighth among nine throwers in Wednesday’ competition with 48.40m — was first known on Tuesday night when Kanika’s name was ‘crossed’ from the official entries.

On Wednesday, official results showed ‘DNS’ against her name, meaning “did not start.” The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) apparently pulled her out immediately after it came to know of the ‘positive’ test.

Kanika had set a National (under-18) record of 50.83m in the National School Games in Kolkata last December. She had also won the titles in her age group in the Junior Federation Cup last May and the inter-zonal championship in Jamshedpur last month.

Though the exact date of urine sample collection and testing is not known, in all probability, Kanika’s would be the first Indian ‘positive’ at the NDTL after its accreditation by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) on September 21. That will mean the laboratory would also have reported to WADA and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) about Kanika’s doping infraction.

The AFI would be expected to go through with the normal procedures involved in ‘positive’ test reports. If the charge is proved, Kanika will face a two-year suspension unless the substance is in such a category that can get a reduced sanction or she can prove circumstances where leniency could be shown.

Kanika’s is the second doping charge against a member of the Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Youth Games. Weightlifter B. Prameelavalli had earlier tested positive and is under suspension. In July, another weightlifter, Harpreet Singh who was also a contender for the Games had tested positive. He, too, has been suspended.

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