TheCable

Chika Amalaha who won gold in weightlifting on Sunday has failed a doping test at the Commonwealth Games.

The 16-year-old had set a new Games record in the women’s 52-kilogram division but now faces the prospect of being stripped of her gold medal.

The Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said on Tuesday that Amalaha tested positive to diuretics and masking agents after winning gold in the 53-kilogram (117-pound) division.

“We [have] issued a formal notice of disclosure to an athlete following an adverse analytical finding as a consequence of an in-competition test. That athlete is Nigerian weightlifter Chika Amalaha who was tested on July 25. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow,” Hooper said.

“[The substances] are diuretics and masking agents. 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, July 30. Upon receipt of those results, the process will continue.”

Amalaha had won gold in the 53kg category of the women’s weightlifting event, first lifting 85kg in the Snatch, minutes after Indian duo Santoshi Matsa and Swati Singh set a new mark by lifting 83kg.

She then went on to lift 111kg in the clean and jerk to emerge first with a new Games record total of 196kg.