Dipa Karmakar, the biggest name in Indian gymnastics today, has been banned for two years for anti-doping violations. In fact, the World Anti-Doping Agency has placed her on’suspended’ status since mid-2021.
Her suspension became public in March 2022, when the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced her suspension. The reason for her misfortune, however, remained unknown, as both the FIG and the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) remained silent on the subject. Even though the National Anti-Doping Agency did not declare anything officially, there were rumblings of a doping ban.
BREAKING:
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar of the Rio Olympics fame has been serving a 2-year BAN for an Anti-Doping violation. pic.twitter.com/lbxjUEYWyd
— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) December 25, 2022
However, according to a report in media reports, Dipa Karmakar has been suspended for violating the World Anti-Doping Agency’s whereabouts rules (WADA).
The whereabouts rule requires athletes to report their whereabouts to the WADA on a quarterly basis via the Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS), as well as when they will be available for testing. If an athlete fails to report his or her whereabouts three times on ADAMS, he or she may be suspended for a period of 12 to 24 months.
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An athlete is held responsible for missing a test regardless of the failure of their agent, in Dipa’s case her coach.
Because Nandi works for the Tripura state sports department, SAI claims they are not liable for his error.
According to sources, NADA intends to take action against Nandi within its jurisdiction for endangering Dipa’s career. Previously, anti-doping body athletics coach Mickey Menzes was banned for four years for giving banned substance to his trainee Kirti Bhoite, who is currently serving a two-year ban.
Dipa’s post-Rio Olympics career was marred by injury, as she underwent surgery in 2017 for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Her most recent major competition was the 2019 World Cup in Baku, after which she failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics due to a knee injury.
Dipa Karmakar was the first Indian gymnast to place fourth in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Her career has taken a downward spiral as a result of a slew of injuries.
