Facing a life ban after failing a second dope test, weightlifter Sanamacha Chanu on Thursday accused the Indian Weightlifting Federation of keeping her in the dark about the banned substance methylhexaneamine, which she said she cannot even spell properly.
The 31-year-old Chanu, who failed a dope test conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency last month, said she was never informed by the Federation that methylhexaneamine was a banned drug.
"I don't exactly know about this substance and was never told by the federation that this is a banned substance. They never informed me about this. Even other athletes, who have tested positive in recent times for taking this substance, were unaware about methylhexaneamine," Chanu said in New Delhi.
Chanu, who competes in 53 kg event, tested positive during the trials for the Delhi Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last month, her second offence after being caught at 2004 Athens Olympics.
If her 'B' sample also turns out to be positive, she may get a life ban.
The dope flunk came days after the Indian Weightlifting Federation paid a hefty 5 lakh dollar fine to the international body after six of its lifters failed WADA dope tests conducted 12 months ago.
As many as 11 athletes have tested positive in the past week for the same stimulant, widely available in dietary supplements.
Chanu said the Federation didn't tell her that she had tested positive and she came to know about the result only through the media.
"I had 5-6 tests earlier, which all came out negative. On July 28, I had a test in Patiala, which also came out negative. Then during the CWG selection trials, they found me positive for this substance which I can't spell properly.
"I was not aware of all this. One day, I got a call from a media friend who told me that I have tested positive and won't be able to participate in the Games.
"It came as a shock to me. The Federation didn't send me the letter regarding this. They kept it with them," she said.
Chanu, who had earlier tested positive for a diuretic at the Athens Olympics in 2004 along with another woman lifter Pratima Kumari (63kg), said at that time also she was unaware of the use of supplements suggested by the Russian coach.
"Even the first time, our Russian coach had suggested me the supplements and medicines during Athens 2004. When the doping committee of the event came and enquired about the substances we consumed, they found us positive," she said.
Chanu said earlier all the weightlifters were used to have lecture on the use of banned substances during Sports Authority of India camps.
"But now we don't know which medicine to take during fever or cold. We use to develop this salt bacause we take medicines when we are not well. I have been told by others that this has nothing to do with dope and all.
"Only now, when cases have started coming into light, the federation has told us that this comes under banned list," she said.