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Glasgow 2014: Chika Amalaha Suspended For Failing Drugs Test

Nigerian gold medallist, Chika Amalaha, has been provisionally suspended from the Commonwealth Games for failing a drugs test. The 16-year-old won weightlifting gold with a … Continue reading Glasgow 2014: Chika Amalaha Suspended For Failing Drugs Test


Nigeria's gold medallist Chika AmalahaNigerian gold medallist, Chika Amalaha, has been provisionally suspended from the Commonwealth Games for failing a drugs test.

The 16-year-old won weightlifting gold with a combined total of 196kg in the women’s 53kg category.

Her ‘A’ sample was found to contain both amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, which are both prohibited as diuretics and masking agents. Amalaha will now have a ‘B’ sample tested on Wednesday.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive, Mike Hooper, said: “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 25th. That athlete has now been suspended from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”

Hooper added that “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, 30 July. Upon receipt of those results the process will continue.”

Amalaha won gold last Friday, as Dika Toua took silver to secure Papua New Guinea’s first medal of Glasgow 2014, with India’s Santoshi Matsa winning bronze.