3 wrestlers test positive

A couple of weeks after the Indian Express had reported the presence of syringes and other suspicious vials at one of the games venues of the 57th National School Games,held between December 28 to January 3,the National Anti Doping Agency has reported that three participants had tested positive for banned substances. Three samples out of 30 collected from the wrestlers have been found positive for the prohibited substance furosemide,which is a diuretic. The violation of anti-doping rules has been notified to the concerned authorities,NADA Director General Rahul Bhatnagar said in a release.

NADA had collected 81 samples from wrestlers (30),boxers (31) and weightlifters (20). The test results of samples of boxers,who competed at the Chhatrasal Stadium — where the suspicious items were found — and weightlifters are awaited from NDTL.

“NADA has noted such instances of doping in Wrestling at the School level sportspersons as very disturbing trend and will take up with the concerned sports authorities to take serious action not only on the sportspersons but also on the coaches,support personnel and sports administrators,” Bhatnagar said. “NADA will extend full support on educating the sportspersons and their coaches if requests are received in this regard,” he added.