The International Testing Agency on Friday (February 3) suspended India's Dipa Karmakar for 21 months after she was found to have made use of prohibited substance
Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been banned for 21 months. Actually, the International Testing Agency has decided to ban Deepa Karmakar. However, the ban of the International Testing Agency will be effective from 10 July 2023. The International Testing Agency has found Deepa Karmakar guilty of consuming a banned substance.
The ITA, leading an independent anti-doping program for @gymnastics, reports that Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been sanctioned with a 21-month period of ineligibility after testing positive for the prohibited substance higenamine.
▶️ https://t.co/SohYXJbV2r pic.twitter.com/a2fg2qNszV
— International Testing Agency (@IntTestAgency) February 3, 2023
According to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), higenamine can act as as a general stimulant because it has mixed adrenergic receptor activity. It can also increase cardiac output by strengthening heart contraction.
The ban is already in effect from October 2021 and Dipa has served 16 months of the mentioned suspension. However, with the ban set to lift in time before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, she will be able to participate and prepare for the big tournament. The suspension will come to an end in July, which gives almost a year for the star Indian to prepare for the event.
Dipa’s name has been included in the 10-member Indian gymnastics team for the Asian Games. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dipa on her achievement and tweeted, “India is proud of @DipaKarmakar! Congratulations to her on winning a well-deserved Gold in the vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Mersin, Turkey. This win is a prime example of her tenacity and never-say-die attitude.”