Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar on Saturday clarified the details regarding her suspension, confirming it’s a 21-month one that will end in July 2023 for failing an out-of-competition dope test, and said it marked the end of one of the “longest battles” of her career.
Karmakar’s test was conducted by the International Testing Agency on behalf of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ITA said that Karmakar’s sample, taken on October 11, 2021, tested positive for Higenamine, a banned stimulant. The ITA said that the case was resolved according to article 10.8.2 of the FIG Anti-Doping Rules.
According to the article, an athlete charged with doping can seek a reduction in their sentence based on the seriousness of their violation, their fault in the violation and if they accept the charge promptly.
— Article 10.8.2 of the FIG Anti-Doping Rules
Media reports earlier said that Karmakar had been handed a two-year suspension for failing to inform the World Anti Doping Agency of her whereabouts. The star gymnast took to Twitter to state that it distressed her to not know how the banned substance entered her body and that she was unhappy to be in a position where he ethics have been questioned.
“Multiple media reports have speculated that I was under a 2-year suspension for failing to inform WADA of my whereabouts through the Anti-Doping Administration Management System,” Karmakar wrote. “However, I would like to clarify that these are false and inaccurate and do not reveal the true facts and nature of the matter.”
Karmakar entered the spotlight when she finished fourth in the vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 29-year-old last last competed at the 2019 World Cup in Baku.
Here’s Dipa Karmakar’s statement:
Today marks the end of one of the Longest battles I have fought for myself and my career.
In October 2021, my sample was obtained for out-of-competition testing and sent for assessment. The result was positive for a banned substance which I unknowingly ingested and could not determine the source of. I decided to take a provisional suspension with the hope of a swift resolution with the international federation.
I am happy that the matter has been amicably resolved. My suspension has been reduced by 3 months and back dated by 2.5 months, allowing me to return to the sport I love in July 2023.
Multiple media reports have speculated that I was under a 2-year suspension for failing to inform WADA of my whereabouts through the Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS). However, I would like to clarify that these are false and inaccurate and do not reveal the true facts and nature of the matter.
It has been distressful to not know how the substances entered my body, however, more so to be in a position where my ethics have been questioned. Never in my career has the thought of consuming a banned substance crossed my mind. Gymnastics is all I have, and I would never do anything which would bring myself or my country into disrepute.
Cannot wait to get back on the floor!
— via Twitter
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