Monika's B sample test is positive, faces two-year ban

The 'B' sample test of Manipuri weightlifter Monika Devi, who was stopped from taking part in the Beijing Olympics last year on dope charges, has returned positive for a banned substance in a Wada-accredited laboratory in Tokyo. Wada is the acronym for the World Anti-Doping Agency, which is the premier agency combating the use of drugs, particularly performance-enhancing drugs, in sports.

Monika's 'B' sample was sent for testing in Tokyo by the Union sports ministry on the recommendation of the TS Krishnamurthy Commission which was set up to look into the doping episode.

The 28-year-old weightlifter's 'A' sample had an "adverse analytical finding", which cost her the chance to take part in the Olympics and sparked protests in her home state.

Under normal procedure, any lifter who wants his/her 'B' sample tested should bear the cost, but in Monika's case the sports ministry footed the bill and a representative of
the 69kg lifter also travelled to Tokyo on government expense, a source said.

"The decision of SAI [Sports Authority of India] to stop her from going to Beijing has come to be correct as Monika's B sample test in a Tokyo lab has returned positive for a banned substance," the source said. "Nobody is speaking about it now because a case is pending in the Delhi High Court."

Indian Weightlifting Federation officials would not confirm the positive dope test, but it is learnt that the IWF has received a letter from the National Dope Testing Laboratory in this regard.