The International Testing Agency (ITA) came out with an announcement on Friday that Gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been handed a 21-month suspension for failing a dope test that was conducted by ITA. The ban on the Indian Gymnast will bar her from participating in any international competition while she serves the ban.

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar was notably known for her campaign in 2016 Rio Olympics in which she secured India the fourth position. The sample was collected by the International Testing Agency, which is an independent organisation that oversees the anti–doping programme of the International Gymnastics Federation, has reported that the Karmakar’s samples had contained prohibited substance Higenamine which goes against the doping World Anti-Doping Agency code.

According to reports, the ban imposed on the Indian Gymnast will end on July 10 this year as it was counted from the day the sample was collected which was in October 2011.

The case of doping was resolved through Case Resolution Agreement in accordance with article 10.8.2 of the FIG. It was also reported that Karmakar’s results have been disqualified from October 11, 2021 onwards.

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar has hit a rough patch over the last few years, following her ACL injury in 2017. In her last FIG event World Cup in Baku which was in 2019, she did make the vault final, however, failed to place herself in the top eight in the balanced eight event.

According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Higenamine contains mixed adrenergic receptor activity. Higenamine was included into the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances due to it being an anti-asthmatic drug that can help open up airways. Higenamine also has properties that can heighten cardiac output.

The suspension on Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar means that she will miss all four tournaments in the Apparatus World Cup Series in Cottbus, Doha, Baku, Cairo. The 29-year-old gymnast will also not be able to participate in at least three of the six World Cup tournaments.

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