Four-year dope ban | Dutee Chand requests Centre, State Government to help

Dutee Chand, a double Asian Games silver medalist, urges Odisha Govt. and Centre for help after receiving a four-year ban for failing dope tests. She appeals to authorities to give her a chance to represent India in various competitions. Chand won medals in Asian Games and Championships and became first Indian woman sprinter to win gold at Universiade. She hopes to qualify for 2024 Olympics.

Double Asian Games silver medallist Dutee Chand who has been handed a four-year ban for failing dope tests has urged the Odisha Government and the Centre for help so that she can represent India in various competitions.

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has been banned for four years for failing two out-of-competition dope tests for a banned substance in December last year.

"I received the news yesterday morning that I lost the case that I had challenged and received a four-year ban. I was very sad and shocked after the decision... I have given several doping tests earlier and this has never happened... I request the State Government, Central Government and NADA to help so that I can represent India in various competitions... I have not committed any wrongdoing," Dutee Chand told ANI.

The NADA ban will be effective from January 3 this year and all her results from the date of sample collection — December 5 last year — will stand as disqualified and will include forfeiture of medals, points and prizes.

Chand said that she received a shock when a doctor informed her that Level 1 cancer had attacked her body and she would have to retire from sports.

“I felt very scared, thinking what happened to my life. I got an MRI scan done and the doctor told me that a Level 1 cancer attack has begun. I had taken that medicine for pain relief… i ddi not know it was doping," Dutee said.

Chand said she will challenge the four-year ban imposed on her by NADA.