It’s raining trouble for Manpreet

Sabi Hussain

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 6

There’s some more trouble for dope-tainted shot-putter Manpreet Kaur. After failing the dope test at the Asian Grand Prix in Jinhua and the Federation Cup in Patiala, the former world No.1 shot-putter from Ambala has returned positive for the Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar and the Inter-State meet in Guntur as well.

Manpreet, who made everyone sit up and take notice with some stunning performances this year, has tested positive for Dimethylbutylamine, the same stimulant that was found in her urine sample collected during the Asian GP and the Federation Cup. 

Already under provisional suspension and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) constituting a disciplinary panel to hear her case, Manpreet would lose the gold medals she won at the Asian Championships and the Inter-State meet following the latest results.

Steroid matnelon

The real shocker lies in the details of her dope failure at the Asian GP in Jinhua. It’s been learnt that the traces of steroid matnelon have been found in her sample. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recently shared this detail with NADA, pushing the shot-putter deeper into trouble. While Dimethylbutylamine falls under WADA’s prohibited list of “specified substance”, a steroid is counted among “unspecified substance”. So, it would be extremely tough for her to explain how matnelon entered her body. NADA has decided to rely on the findings of China’s national anti-doping laboratory despite the shot-putter’s request to get the sampling done at some other WADA-accredited lab.

IAAF involved

Another bad news for Manpreet is that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the sport’s world governing body, has got involved in the proceedings. IAAF’s contention is that since Manpreet has failed dope tests in two international competitions — Asian GP and Asian Championships — the world body needs to monitor the case closely. According to NADA sources, an IAAF observer could become a part of the panel hearing her case. 

Taking Ginseng?

According to another source, Manpreet has reportedly admitted to using some performance-enhancing supplements for a while. It’s been learnt that one of the supplements contained the herb Ginseng, which is banned. “It’s a matter of further investigation, but it’s the same drug for which six quarter-milers were banned in 2011,” the source added.

Treating as one doping offence      

NADA would treat Manpreet’s all four doping failures as a single offence, starting with the Asian GP. This would help Manpreet escape a life ban. Yet, the prospect of getting banned for four years seems pretty realistic.