Weightlifter Amalaha fails doping test

chikaamalaha

Amalaha took gold in the 53kilogram division last Friday with a Games record lift of 196kg that included a 85kg snatch and 111kg clean and jerk.

The 16-year-old provided an A sample shortly after beating Dika Toua (Papua New Guinea) and India's Santoshi Matsa to take the title at the Clyde Auditorium.

Amalaha's A sample was found to contain amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, both prohibited as diuretics and masking agents under class s5 of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list, meaning she will now be suspended ahead of having a B sample tested on Wednesday.

"We [have] issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test," said CGF chief executive Mike Hooper. "That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25th.

"That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"In general terms, these substances are on the prohibited list for two reasons – firstly in weight category sports they can be used to unfairly aid weight loss … and secondly, their use has been reported in attempts to mask the presence in the body of other prohibited substances.

"The relevant processes, as detailed in our anti-doping standard for the Games, are now being followed and Ms Amalaha has pursued her right to have her B sample tested. This will take place at an accredited laboratory in London tomorrow, 30 July. Upon receipt of those results the process will continue."

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