Sri Lanka gold medalist boxer mired in doping controversy
October 24, 2010 04:11 pm
Boxer Manju Wanniarachchi who brought a gold medal after 72 years to Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi recently has been pushed into a controversy for allegedly taking performance enhancing drugs.
National Anti-doping organization head Dr. Geethanjana Mendis when contacted by Adaderana said that they are yet to receive an official intimation and that they would be able to comment on the matter only on Monday (October 25). There are certain official formalities to be followed, he added.
Wanniarachchi who won the men’s 56kg bantamweight gold medal at the recent Commonwealth Games has been allegedly tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid Nandralone which is in the banned list of performance enhancing drugs by the world anti-doping body the WADA, according to reports.
The anti-doping body has reportedly informed Sri Lanka’s National Olympic Committee that Wanniarachchi’s ‘A’ urine sample taken during the Commonwealth Games had tested positive for Nandralone, an anabolic steroid which has been included in the banned list of performance enhancing drugs.
However, if the ‘B’ sample too tests positive Wanniarachchi stands to be stripped off his gold medal. He has been reportedly given a 14-day period to submit his explanation by the National Olympic Committee.
Meanwhile, latest reports say that a homeopathy doctor from Kurunegala had allegedly given a performance enhancing drug to Manju Wanniarachchi, stating that it was a vitamin supplement. Wanniarachchi had not been aware that it contained a banned steroid at the time he took the drug.
The Wanniarachchi saga shows a resemblance to several other instances where Sri Lankans had won medals at international sports events. Sprint Queen Susanthika Jayasinghe is one such personality who was earlier accused of taking performance enhancement drugs prior to her events and later exonerated of the accusation.
Sri Lanka has bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games and preparations are under way for a fully fledged sports complex in Hambantota. The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, which took place in New Delhi this year will be held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.
National Anti-doping organization head Dr. Geethanjana Mendis when contacted by Adaderana said that they are yet to receive an official intimation and that they would be able to comment on the matter only on Monday (October 25). There are certain official formalities to be followed, he added.
Wanniarachchi who won the men’s 56kg bantamweight gold medal at the recent Commonwealth Games has been allegedly tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid Nandralone which is in the banned list of performance enhancing drugs by the world anti-doping body the WADA, according to reports.
The anti-doping body has reportedly informed Sri Lanka’s National Olympic Committee that Wanniarachchi’s ‘A’ urine sample taken during the Commonwealth Games had tested positive for Nandralone, an anabolic steroid which has been included in the banned list of performance enhancing drugs.
However, if the ‘B’ sample too tests positive Wanniarachchi stands to be stripped off his gold medal. He has been reportedly given a 14-day period to submit his explanation by the National Olympic Committee.
Meanwhile, latest reports say that a homeopathy doctor from Kurunegala had allegedly given a performance enhancing drug to Manju Wanniarachchi, stating that it was a vitamin supplement. Wanniarachchi had not been aware that it contained a banned steroid at the time he took the drug.
The Wanniarachchi saga shows a resemblance to several other instances where Sri Lankans had won medals at international sports events. Sprint Queen Susanthika Jayasinghe is one such personality who was earlier accused of taking performance enhancement drugs prior to her events and later exonerated of the accusation.
Sri Lanka has bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games and preparations are under way for a fully fledged sports complex in Hambantota. The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, which took place in New Delhi this year will be held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.
