Gymnast Dipa Karmakar suspended for 21 months after testing positive for banned substance
The suspension started on October 11, 2021, onwards.
Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been suspended for a 21-month period, effective until July 10, 2023, for use of a prohibited substance, the International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed on Friday.
Karmakar, who is the first Indian gymnast to participate in the Olympics, tested positive for Higenamine (S3. Beta-2 Agonists as per the Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list). The positive sample was collected on behalf of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) in the scope of an out-of-competition control on 11 October 2021.
Reports said that Higenamine acts as a general stimulant. It helps the lungs take in more oxygen and is prohibited in and out of competition.
A statement from the ITA said that "the case was resolved via a case resolution agreement pursuant to article 10.8.2 of the FIG Anti-Doping Rules (FIG ADR, and equivalent provision in the World Anti-Doping Code). The athlete’s results have been disqualified from 11 October 2021 onwards."
Dipa Karmakar first came into prominence at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where she clinched a bronze medal after performing the dangerous and difficult Produnova vault. The bronze medal made her the first Indian woman and second Indian overall to win a CWG medal in gymnastics.
Her success story continued at the Rio Olympics where she came fourth, missing out on a medal by bare margins. She also bagged bronze at the Asian Gymnastics Championships and finished fifth at the 2015 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, both a first for India in the sport.
Thereafter she struggled with a knee injury and underwent surgery ruling her out for a major part of 2018. During this period she missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games and also failed to qualify for the 2018 Asian Games.
Latest News
- Hollywood star Andy Garcia to host 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards
- Vinesh Phogat's personal coach, physiotherapist get accreditation for Wrestling Asian Olympic Qualifiers after her social media plea
- Who will replace Murali Sreeshankar at Paris Olympics 2024?
- Dubai flood leaves Indian wrestlers Deepak Punia, Sujeet Kalkal stranded at airport ahead of Paris Olympic qualifiers
- Long Jumper Murali Sreeshankar out of 2024 Paris Olympics due to knee injury
Editor Picks
- Paris Olympics 2024: Olympic torch lit in Greece's ancient Olympia [Watch Video]
- Men's doubles shuttlers who have mathematically qualified for Paris Olympics
- Palak Gulia secures Olympic Quota in women's 10m Air Pistol, bags bronze
- List of Indian athletes who have already secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024
- 'I want to enter top 10 in the future,' TT sensation Sreeja Akula outlines her goal