Chennai: Asian Championships winner Gomathi fails dope test, faces four-year ban

Chennai: The fall seems to be as swift as the rise. Even before the buzz around her gold-winning performance at the Asian athletic championship could die down, overnight sensation Gomathi Marimuthu has been handed a provisional suspension for a doping violation.

The 30-year-old from Tiruchy who had pulled off a stunning run to emerge on top in the 800m event has been tested positive for a steroid during the Doha event.

If proved guilty — using her ‘B’ sample — she could be stripped of her gold and also face a four-year ban.

Gomathi, however, has denied any wrongdoing.

As Gomathi’s stories of perseverance and tragedies went viral on social media, financial help poured in from different corners with political parties, film personalities, schools and colleges queuing up to hand her cheques.

Reports also suggest that she had earlier tested positive for a banned substance in the sample the National Anti-Doping Agency collected in Patiala during the March 15-18 Federation Cup but was not communicated by the national anti-doping watchdog on time.