Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, renowned as the country’s fastest female athlete, has been handed a four-year ban after failing two out-of-competition doping tests in December 2022. The athlete’s violation involves the use of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), marking a significant setback for her athletic career.
Banned Substance and Effective Date: Dutee’s Doping Violations
Dutee Chand, the holder of the 100m national record at 11.17 seconds, tested positive for SARMs during out-of-competition tests. The ban, set to begin on January 3, 2023, raises concerns about her future participation in competitive athletics.
With impressive achievements such as winning two silver medals in the 2018 Asian Games (100m and 200m), Dutee’s career was marked by notable performances. However, her 2021 season-best performance of 11.40 seconds in the semifinals of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships was overshadowed by her loss to Hima Das in the final.
Dutee faced provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) earlier this year. Testing positive in two separate instances, she was found to have used prohibited substances. The substances identified in her samples included anabolic agents andarine, ostarine, and ligandrol.
Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel’s Ruling: Disqualification and Consequences
Chaitanya Mahajan, chairman of the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP), ruled that all competitive results obtained by Dutee from December 5, 2022, would be disqualified. This includes forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, underscoring the severity of the doping violation.
The ADDP indicated that Dutee Chand failed to cross-check the substances she consumed with the latest list of prohibited substances published by WADA. She was unable to establish a significant lack of fault or negligence. Instead of seeking advice from a physician, she followed the prescriptions of her physiotherapist, leading to her violation.
Dutee Chand’s decision not to undergo ‘B’ sample testing within seven days of receiving the notice resulted in her provisional suspension by NADA. This choice has contributed to the continuation of her suspension.
Following her ban, Dutee Chand has the opportunity to file a review plea with the anti-doping panel (ADAP) within 21 days of receiving the ban notice. Her future in the sport remains uncertain as she navigates the legal processes ahead.
