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According to the New Indian Express two groups of Olympic-level athletes have allegedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDS) in India. One of them is apparently a member of the women’s 4x400m relay team.
According to National Anti-doping Agency (NADA) chief Navin Agarwal, at least two athletes who are part of the Olympic core group have tested positive. Agarwal did not name the athletes.
The athlete allegedly tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine (MHA).
In February, NADA collected a total of 148 samples including 15 blood samples. The results of the test include the Covid-19 virus.
India has had their own struggles with compliance and doping over the years. As recently as July 2020, a laboratory was suspended for the second time.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), renewed the suspension of the National Dope Testing Laboratory located in New Delhi. Their accreditation was suspended for the second time for six months. The decision was made after the lab was unable to correct their non-compliance of international standards.
The lab was first suspended in August 2019. One of the key points of contention was in relation to the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) analytical method, which helps to locate the chemical and biological origin of a substance in a given sample.
India conducts mass firing
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) – the national governing body of the sport – fired everybody on Monday, Jan. 2014. Notices were given to all staff, board members and contractors, citing an alarming growth of positive drug tests. “There has been a most grievous proliferation of telling testimony in regards to rampant drug use by athletes of all ages and levels of competitions,” shared Professor Maharaja Yadvindra Singh, when asked about the mass firings.
Singh referenced international media exposure as a primary issue, including a New York Times article as well as recent positive drug tests.
Stay tuned, more to come from this.
