Karmakar also claimed she had “unknowingly ingested” the banned substance Higenamine – S3 Beta-2 Agonists according to WADA’s Prohibited List – which was found in her drug sample taken last year in October. .
According to the US Anti-Doping Agency, higenamine is found in several herbs used for traditional medicine and is used in supplements without sometimes naming it. It was added to WADA’s Prohibited List in 2017. The drug is prohibited at all times, in-competition and out-of-competition.
“…I unknowingly ingested and have been unable to determine the source of (the banned substance). I have decided to take a Provisional Suspension in hopes of a speedy resolution with the International Federation “, wrote Karmakar on her Twitter account, indicating that she had admitted the anti-doping rule violation.
Karmakar’s drug sample was taken out of competition by the International testing agency (ITA), an independent organization that manages the anti-doping program of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), on October 11, 2021.
🙏 https://t.co/LolR80zayc
—Dipa Karmakar (@DipaKarmakar) 1675488148000
Karmakar’s ban period will end on July 10 this year as it was counted from the day (October 11, 2011) when the sample was taken. His results were disqualified from October 11, 2021.
According to the ITA, the matter was resolved under a case resolution agreement pursuant to Article 10.8.2 of the FIG Anti-Doping Rules, which applies when “the Athlete or other person admits an anti-doping rule violation after being confronted with the anti-doping rule violation by the FIG and accepts Consequences acceptable to the FIG and WADA, in their sole discretion.”
Karmakar expressed her joy that the matter was resolved out of court and she is looking forward to returning to gymnastics in July this year.
“Today marks the end of one of the longest fights I’ve had for myself and my career… My suspension has been reduced by 3 months and downgraded by 2.5 months, allowing me to return to sport which I love in July 2023. It has been painful not knowing how the substances entered the body, but more so to be in a position where my ethics have been questioned.
“Never in my career has the thought of using a banned substance crossed my mind. Gymnastics is all I have and I would never do anything that would discredit myself or my country. I look forward to back on the floor!,” Karmakar wrote in his lengthy post.
In the post, Karmakar also quashed speculation that his suspension was due to the whereabouts clause breach.
“Many media speculated that I was under a 2-year suspension for failing to inform WADA of my whereabouts via the Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS). However, I would like to clarify that these are false and inaccurate and do not reveal the facts and nature of the case,” Karmakar added.
Karmakar, 29, who shot to fame after finishing fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the jumping event, has been struggling with injuries since undergoing surgery to treat an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2017. His last FIG event was the 2019 World Cup in Baku.
(With PTI entries)
