Five National Games athletes fail dope test

Four women weightlifters, including 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Geeta Rani, have failed the dope test in the 35th National Games which took place last month in Kerala.

Apart from Geeta, who represented Punjab and is an Arjuna awardee, Harjeet Kaur (Haryana), Komal Wakale (Maharashtra) and Mangte P Kom (Chandigarh) have tested positive. Also, to flunk the dope test was hammer thrower K M Rachna (Punjab), who had won a silver medal in the Games.

The tests were conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) during Jan 31-Feb 14 event.

 Geeta had won the gold in women's +75 kg category in the National Games while Kom (75kg), Harjeet (58kg), and Komal (5kg) bagged silver in their weight categories. Meanwhile, Rachna has been handed a provisional suspension after her ‘A’ sample tested positive for banned substance.

The medals of all these sportspersons will now be taken away and with a confirmatory ‘B’ sample testing to follow. Thus far, none of the athletes have appeared for their ‘B’ sample test.

Once they do, they would have to appear before an anti-doping disciplinary panel which will then preside over the hearing to decide the penalty on the sportspersons.