The National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (NADAP) has upheld an 18-month suspension on boxer Amit Kumar for testing positive for anabolic steroid methandienone.
A disciplinary panel on December 3, 2012 had handed the boxer a reduced sanction against a prescribed punishment of two years of ineligibility in the NADA anti-doping rules.
The panel had noted Amit’s admission of guilt and given him the benefit of doubt on the basis of his claim that he returned a positive test after taking medicines prescribed by a local doctor to cure “general weakness and gastritis” following a bout of chicken pox.
As per the World Anti Doping Code, an athlete has to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) before using a banned substance.
The NADAP, in its order issued recently, raised “serious doubts” over the authenticity of the prescription, which had prescribed injection Dianabol (methandienone) and Decadurabolin (nandrolone).
“Normally these injections, which have steroids, are meant for enhancing stamina of individuals and are not prescribed in a casual manner for a person suffering from general weakness,” the order said, while upholding the suspension.
Interestingly, NADA did not seek an enhancement of the suspension on the junior boxer even though it could well have on the grounds that the use of multiple steroids without a TUE would not be allowed as per the WADA Code.
The NADAP also did not increase the period of ineligibility despite raising serious doubts over the genuineness of the prescription.
Amit’s ineligibility will come to an end on June 2.
