India’s dope shame in the run-up to the Rio Olympics continued, with indications that 200m runner Dharambir Singh has tested positive for a banned substance in an in-competition test conducted last month.
Dharambir, who became the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the Olympics after 36 years, missed his flight to Rio last night, amid speculation that he had tested positive for an anabolic steroid in his ‘A’ sample taken by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) during the Indian Grand Prix Meet in Bangalore on July 11.
However, there has been no confirmation from the NADA and the Athletics Federation of India.
The 27-year-old from Haryana was to leave for Rio on Tuesday but was told to stay back, according to sources.
Dharambir had breached the 200m Olympics entry standard by clocking 20.45 seconds in the fourth Indian GP in Bengaluru on July 11, the last day of qualification, which was hastily arranged by the Athletics Federation of India to give the athletes a chance to make it to the Rio Games.
His impressive timing, however, raised suspicions in some quarters.
NADA has asked Dharambir if he wanted to get his ‘B’ sample tested. He has seven days to get the procedure completed, the sources said.
