Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sanjita Chanu has been banned for four years by the disciplinary panel of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing a dope test. Chanu has tested positive for the anabolic steroid- Drostanolone metabolite which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list.
Chanu’s dope sample was taken on 30 September 2022 at a competition during the National Games. “It is considered that the athlete has violated Article 2.1 and 2.2 of NADA ADR, 2021, he is hereby sanctioned with ineligibility of four (04) years. As per Article 10.2.1 of NADA ADR, 2021 ,” the three-member NADA Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel headed by Chaitanya Mahajan said in the order.
The athlete’s ban will begin on 12 November 2022, the date of his provisional suspension. “The period of ineligibility shall commence from the date of provisional suspension i.e. 12.11.2022. It shall be noted that the athlete has failed to satisfy the Panel that the ADRV was unintentional as per Article 10.2.1.1 of the NADA ADR, 2023,” it couple.
Notably, Chanu will lose her National Games silver medal which she won recently. “As per Article 10.10 of NADA ADR, 2021, the athlete is hereby disqualified for all individual results obtained in the said event with effect from 30-09-2022 with all consequences including forfeiture of all medals, marks and prizes.” Order added.
During the hearing, Sanjita had denied having knowingly taken any banned substance and submitted that she had taken all precautions and precautions while consuming food and supplements. The panel noted that “the present case appears to be a case of systematic doping where a banned substance was used by the athlete”.
The panel said, “In the absence of any medical evidence that the athlete ingested such a banned substance through adulterated food, supplement or medication, the only reasonable conclusion[is]that the athlete knowingly ingested the substance in order to enhance strength and power.” The said banned substance has been consumed.” , which also has former India hockey forwards Jagbir Singh and RK Arya as its members, ruled.