Dutee Chand’s Appeal Against Four-Year Suspension Dismissed

Dutee Chand, India’s fastest woman sprinter and a two-time Asian Games silver medalist, has been embroiled in a doping controversy. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had imposed a four-year ban on her for failing two out-of-competition dope tests. The tests, conducted in December 2022, found traces of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) in her urine sample.

Dutee Chand’s appeal against the suspension

Chand had appealed against the ban, arguing that the positive test for three SARMs – andarine, ostarine, and Ligandrol – was caused by the supplements she had consumed on the advice of her physiotherapist. She stated that she had not purchased the substance from the chemist’s shop, and it was done by her manager. However, the manager submitted that he had delegated the task to another person whose name he could not remember.

Despite her arguments, the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP) dismissed Chand’s appeal against the four-year suspension. The ADAP found no reason to interfere with the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel’s (ADDP) decision ordered in August 2023. The decision was upheld, and Chand’s ban will be effective from January 3, 2024.

This decision has significant implications for Chand’s career. All her competitive results will be scrapped from the date the first sample collection took place, which is December 5, 2022. This means that any medals, records, or accolades she achieved during this period would be nullified.

Chand’s case is not just about a personal setback for the athlete but also a blow to Indian athletics. Her suspension till 2027 will keep her out of major international events, including the Paris Olympics 2024. This is a significant loss for the country, given Chand’s proven track record and potential.

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