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Acclaimed long distance runner Kartik Kumar has failed dope test while training at the high-altitude centre in Colorado Springs, USA. The test on the Asian Games silver medallist was conducted by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) during his recent training stint towards the end of February.
As reported by several media houses, Kumar’s samples returned Adverse Analytical Finding for testosterone and its metabolities. Later on, another test was conducted in mid-March, which also returned positive after which the authorties were infomed.
While the Indian athlete’s tests have come as a shock for many, he was training alongside his fellow Army athlete Gulveer Singh, who had also undergone tests and his samples returned negative. It is to be noted that the two Indian athletes train under coach Scott Simmons and Kumar’s discrepancies in the tests could have come after he purchased supplements at his native place in Saharanpur.
Javelin thrower DP Manu banned for four years
On the other hand, javelin thrower DP Manu, who was in contention to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games via the world rankings, has also been handed four-year ban by the National Anti Doping Agency. The Indian athlete have tested postive for a banned substance called methyltestosterone.
Notably, methyltestosterone is an androgen and anabolic steroid which is used to treat low level of testosterone in men and features in the list of banned drugs listed by the World Anti Doping Agency. As per the report by Times of India, Manu’s ban will commence from 24 June 2024 and will be in action until 24 June 2028.
