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| Chika Amalaha at The Commonweath Game 2014. |
After
winning the gold medal two days ago in the 53kg category of the women’s
weightlifting event, Nigerian athlete Chika Amalaha has failed a doping test.
According to chief executive of the
Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper, Amalaha tested positive to
diuretics and masking agents, and she has been issued a formal notice of
disclosure, “following an adverse analytical finding” as a consequence of the
in-competition test. “That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha, who was tested on July 25. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow," Hooper said.
“In general terms, these substances are on the prohibited list for two reasons — firstly in weight-category sports, they can be used to unfairly aid weight loss. and secondly, their use has been reported in attempts to mask the presence in the body of other prohibited substances.
“The relevant processes, as detailed in our anti-doping standard for the Games, are now being followed and Ms Amalaha has pursued her right to have her ‘B’ sample tested. This will take place at an accredited laboratory in London on, July 30. Upon receipt of those results, the process will continue."
If Amalaha tests positive again tomorrow, she will lose her gold medal, which she won by lifting 85kg in the Snatch and 111kg in the Clean and Jerk to set a new Commonwealth Games record total of 196kg.
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