Commonwealth Games: Nigerian Gold Medallist, Chika Amalaha, Accused Of Doping & Suspended

A Nigerian athlete, Chika Amalaha, on Tuesday failed a preliminary drug test at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The 16-year-old weightlifter had on Saturday won gold medal in the 53kg category before testing positive shortly afterwards. Officials have now requested a B
sample test on the athlete.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, Mike Hooper, was quoted on the Games’ website as saying on Tuesday morning that nobody should conclude yet. “We shouldn’t make assumptions at this juncture, but if she is found to be guilty she will be disqualified and stripped of her medal. This sets out a strong message that doping cheats will be caught.”

If found guilty, Chika would be stripped of her title and the gold medal would go to Dika Toua of Papua New Guinea, while Santoshi Matsa would get silver and Swati Singh would take the bronze medal.

The athlete’s A samples were said to contain both amilioride and hydrochlorothiazide, which are both prohibited as diuretics and masking agents. Speaking further on the test, Hooper said, “We are talking about the A sample. The athlete has requested a B sample and that will come through tomorrow (Wednesday)”.

Chika Amalaha has been provisionally suspended from the tournament.