Indian female sprinter Dutee Chand has been temporarily suspended following an adverse analytical finding in a urine sample by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). An out-of-competition testing procedure yielded the positive test results.
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), a family of medicinal substances with anabolic capabilities akin to anabolic steroids but fewer androgenic (creating male traits) effects, are the illegal chemical for which Chand has tested positive.
According to the list of prohibited substances on the WADA website, these substances have the potential to be misused for performance enhancement in sports due to their anabolic properties as well as their capacity to stimulate androgen receptors in muscle and bone, resulting in bone and muscle growth. The results of Chand’s “A” sample are favourable. The athlete’s appeal and a test of her “B” sample are most likely the following steps in this episode.
Chand is a member of the 4x100m relay sprint team that holds the national record. Along with Chand, the team comprises Hima Das, Dhanalakshmi Sekar and Archana Suseendran.
Chand won two silver medals at the Asian Games in the 100-metre and 200-metre races. She also holds the national record for the 100-metre race and is the first Indian to win a gold medal in the event at an international competition.
The largest competition Chand would have been hoping to compete in this year is the postponed 2022 Asian Games, which is currently scheduled to take place in September 2023.
Addressing the suspension, Dutee Chand commented:
“I am completely unaware about this. I have received no information from any body on any positive test. I cannot take any steps about this without knowing the details. I will have to see where the test was conducted and then act accordingly.
“Like when it happened with Dhanalakshmi and so many others, the WADA sent them a letter informing them of the details of where they had gone wrong. I have not received any official notification so far. I will appeal against the suspension.“
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