Reports : Hima Das’ future performances to be monitored closely by NADA

11/14/2018

India’s sprinting ace Hima Das has been reportedly put in the 'Registered Testing Pool' by NADA where the 18-year-old would have to give frequent testing regardless of competitions. The body stated that the move was taken to prevent Hima from any possible use of performance-enhancing drugs.

It has been a normal protocol for National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), where the body primarily categorizes power games athletes, who are into the likes of athletics, wrestling and boxing and more, into three risk classes of RTP – high, medium, and low. With the athlete from Assam fast becoming a national sensation ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, NADA has decided to take precautions with the Arjuna awardee.

According to TOI reports, Nada sources stated that including Hima in the 'Registered Testing Pool' would mean that the sprinter will be giving more frequent 'out-of-competition' testing during her training and even in off-season period that was so far, mostly done during regular 'in-competition' so far.

This year has been a mammoth one for Hima, where she won the gold at the World U-20 championships in Tampere in the 400m category that was followed by a silver in the same category in Asiad 2018. Apart from that, Hima was also a part of the gold medal team that was clinched gold in the Mixed 4* 400 Relay and the Women 4* 400 Relay category. Her steady rise to prominence has led NADA to monitor her closely for future performances.

"But at the same time, NADA wants to ensure that she remains clean, without getting into the danger of doping. NADA wants to clarify that in no way is it casting aspersions on her previous medal-winning performances," said a NADA official, reported TOI.

To avoid further confusion regarding the matter, NADA also went on to explain that there has been an RTP for every international sports federation who prepare it accordingly while the anti-doping agency does it separately to avoid duplication of names.

"That's why javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is in the IAAF RTP list, while Hima is included by NADA in its RTP," the source further added.