VK Vismaya tested positive for banned drug taken for 'pregnancy'

Asian Games medalist quarter-miler V.K. Vismaya has tested positive for dope as per media reports.

The 27-year-old athlete, who won a gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay, has tested positive in an out of competition test in August.

She was tested at her home in Perumbavur, Kochi by National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) on 15th August and tested positive for Clomiphene which comes under the hormone and metabolic modulators category. The news of her sample being contaminated was conveyed to the athlete on 15th of September.

The drug is banned by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Clomiphene is a non-steroidal medication used clinically to induce ovulation in women and increase testosterone levels in males.

Vismaya claimed that she used the medicine for her pregnancy and there was no other intention behind using the medicine.

"I am three months pregnant. I informed NADA and submitted all related documents. I used Clomiphene not for performance enhancement but to boost egg production for pregnancy as we’ve been planning a family," V.K. Vismaya to NNIS Sports about her suspension.

The 27-year-old 2018 Asian Games gold medalist added, "I’ve explained everything to NADA, but they didn’t accept it. I’ve yet to receive confirmation from officials and will go to court if needed."

Apart from Vismaya, three more athletes- Sunita, Muskan Rana and Praveen Kumar were caught doping.

1500m bronze medalist at National Open Athletics, Sunita has tested positive for EPO while sprinter Muskan Rana and decathlete Praveen Kumar have both been found positive for Stanozolol.