Sanjita Chanu's hopes of attaining clean slate crushed as IWF holds her guilty of doping
Despite admitting to an administrative error concerning mismatch of sample numbers, International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has emphasized that weightlifter Sanjita Chanu is guilty of taking banned drugs. The reply came as a clarification sought out by the National Anti-doping Agency (Nada).
Sanjita Chanu's all hopes of attaining a clean chit have ended after the IWF stressed on the fact that the weightlifter is guilty of doping. After Prime Minister's Office and Union Sports Ministry intervened in the matter, Sanjita Chanu and Nada had been waiting for the reply from the IWF.
"In response to Nada’s email, the IWF has clarified that sample code 1599176 (in the first place it was 1599000) in the notification is due to an administrative mistake and the same has been communicated to both the athlete and the Weightlifting Federation of India,” Nada said in its reply to the ministry’s query.
“Thus Sanjita Chanu needs to explain before the IWF hearing panel regarding the anti-doping rule violation."
Sanjita, unsatisfied with the response, provided by IWF has sent a letter to the legal counsel of IWF, Eva Nyirfa, asking her to describe precisely the error committed by the administration of the world body.
“In one of your replies to IWF’s inquiry into double sample numbers, you are found mentioning that ‘the second reference to another sample code in the notification letter is due an administrative mistake. Madam, could you please elaborate on the term administrative mistake. How come such a highly responsible federation make such a grievous mistake on such a highly important document. I wish an inquiry to be instituted to understand the reason behind this unmistakable mistake,” enquired Chanu.
Chanu’s sample (code no. 1599000) was taken on November 18, 2017, in Las Vegas during an out of competition test by the US Anti-doping Agency. As the letter was sent on 25th June, it will be more than a month since Chanu has received any response personally from IWF.
“The lab results, which found the sample positive, were reported on December 20 and USADA forwarded a copy to Chanu’s email with a copy to IWF and World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada),” the Nada letter said.