Sanjita Chanu Doping Row: Manipur CM Seeks Sports Minister's Help

Weightlifter Sanjita Chanu says she is innocent after failing in a dope test. However, she is determined to challenge the provisional suspension imposed on her. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is backing her claim, is seeking the intervention of Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, News18 reported.

The CM is in absolute support of the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, suggesting that there could be an error in the identification of the Manipuri weightlifter's sample.

"I would sincerely urge you to kindly personally intervene in the matter and obtain a prompt review of the suspension order," Biren said in the letter

Chanu, who became the second Indian woman weightlifter after Kunjarani Devi to win gold in two different editions of the CWG (Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018), is at risk of losing her Gold Coast CWG gold in the women’s 53 kg category due to the doping scandal. She has been handed a provisional suspension by the International Weightlifting Federation. This came after her 'A' sample tested positive for anabolic steroid testosterone.

READ: Who Is Sanjita Chanu? Know More about This Manipuri Star

The Manipur CM is very much sure that there is a "mix up or exchange" of Sanjita's sample taken in the United States in November last year.

"I am informed that the International Weightlifting Federation in a communication dated May 15 has provisionally suspended Manipuri international athlete Sanjita Chanu. I am given to understand that there is a glaring error in the laboratory sample identification based on which the Manipuri athlete has been suspended," Biren said in the letter to Rathore.

"Records placed before me said that the IWF suspension communication mentioned sample number 1599000 on the top of the report while the fourth para of the report cites sample number 1599176," he added

"It could also be a suspected case of mixing up or exchange of sample of the Manipuri athlete with some other athlete due to which two different sample numbers are quoted in the suspension order," the Manipur CM said.

Also Read: Soon, You Can See PV Sindhu’s Olympic Win On Silver Screen

Read More Stories By Ria Das