5 Khelo India gold medalists test positive for banned substances
The Khelo India School Games has been hit with a doping scandal after 12 athletes tested positive for banned substances. 5 of these 12 athletes had won the gold medal at the inaugural edition of the tournament. The Khelo India is the government's initiative to promote sports at the grassroot level. The first edition was held in Delhi from January 31 to February 8.
NADA has notified these 12 athletes
Out of the 12 that tested positive 4 were wrestlers, 2 gymnasts, 3 boxers and a player each from judo, volleyball and athletics. The NADA has notified these athletes about them failing the drug test.
Most athletes tested positive for furosemide and terbutaline
Most of the athletes have tested positive for furosemide and terbutaline, the latter is a drug used in the treatment of asthma. 8 of them have failed the test due to furosemide, a masking agent that helps in short-term weight loss and increases the production of urine in the body. These substances do not warrant an immediate provisional suspension.
2 athletes test positive for performance enhancers
One boxer has been provisionally suspended after he tested positive for stanozolol, which is a well-known performance enhancement drug. The judo player's urine revealed traces of mephentermine and he has been placed under mandatory suspension. One thing is, for certain, that these two drugs are high-end doping substances and the NADA should act swiftly.
Athletes might face 2-4 year ban
If found guilty, these athletes could face a ban amounting to 2-4 years. Khelo India is the government's flagship program and aims to identify 1,000 athletes and provide them with an annual funding of Rs. 5 lakh each for the next 8 years. One-fourth of the Rs. 2,196 crore allocated to the Sports Ministry is being flushed into the Khelo India project.
