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After being banned for four years for failing in twin out-of-competition dope tests for selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), top Odisha sprinter and India’s fastest woman athlete, Dutee Chand, on Saturday made a startling revelation that she was diagnosed with type 1 cancer in 2021.
As per Dutee, the anabolic agents might have been present in the medicines that she took at that time to be cured of the disease. She further stated that it was unintentional and she will request the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to reconsider the case.
Sharing her ordeal, Dutee said her problems began with a groin injury in 2021.
“While competing in the National Inter-State Championships before the Tokyo Olympics (2021), I felt a lot of pain in the groin area. I consulted some doctors but the pain did not go. I went to the Olympics (July-August, 2021) and could not do well there. After returning from the Olympics, the pain kept increasing. I did an ultrasound in November 2021. Nothing came in the ultrasound. My physio told me to take some desi medicines, but the pain persisted,” said Dutee.
“Then I got an MRI scan done and the doctor told me that level 1 cancer attack has begun. He said I have to quit sport otherwise it will get worse. After taking some prescribed medicines, the pain subsided and there was recovery. I did not do any other medical test because I was feeling all right and there was not much pain. Then, I gave this sample to NADA and subsequently positive result came out in the dope test,” she added.
As per reports, the double silver medallist at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games in 100m and 200m races, was tested twice on December 5 and 26, 2022 by NADA's dope control officers in Bhubaneswar. While her first sample revealed the presence of anabolic agents Andarine, Ostarine, and Ligandrol, the second sample had traces of Andarine and Ostarine.
Dutee had then the option of going for her ‘B’ sample testing within a period of seven days from the date of receiving the adverse analytical finding (AAF) notice. However, she didn’t opt for it, and it resulted in the imposition of the provisional suspension by NADA.
Dutee has been banned for violating articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the NADA. Now, she can’t participate in any national and international level competitions for four years. The ban period will be effective from January 3, 2023. It will continue till January 2027.
As a result, all the competitive results obtained by Dutee from the date of her sample collection, which was December 5, 2022, shall stand disqualified with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes.
However, the sprinter has now 21 days to file an appeal with the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP) from the date of receipt of the decision by the appealing party.
Meanwhile, Dutee’s lawyer Partha Goswami stated that they will appeal before the ADAP for reconsideration of the punishment.
“Dutee has all the documents as evidence. It is an unintentional case of doping. Dutee has taken the medicines without having any intention to increase her performance and the athlete has no fault in it,” said Goswami.
Notably, Dutee was earlier left out of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Indian contingent at the last minute on grounds that hyperandrogenism made her ineligible to compete as a female athlete. AIFF had imposed a ban on her then. However, in 2015, Dutee won the case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the world athletics governing body’s policy on hyperandrogenism, or high natural levels of testosterone in women. Subsequently, Dutee was allowed to take part in Rio Olympics 2016. She also went on to win two silver medals in 100m & 200m events of 2018 Asian Games.
Dutee had stunned the world then with her resilience and fighting spirit. However, with NADA banning Dutee for failing the dope test recently, she has probably experienced the shock of her life. While the recent development has become a huge threat to Dutee’s sports career, the whole athletic world is glued to her next course of action.
