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The 27-year-old Dhanalakshmi, who returned to competition after a three-year ban received in 2022, tested positive for drostanolone at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Sangrur.
Sprinter Dhanalakshmi. (Picture Credit: Screengrab)
Tamil Nadu sprinter Dhanalakshmi Sekar is facing a provisional suspension after her second failed dope test, which could result in an eight-year ban if she is found guilty.
The 27-year-old sprinter, who returned to competition after serving a three-year ban received in 2022, tested positive for drostanolone at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Sangrur.
In August this year, she won gold in both the women’s 100m and 200m races at the National Inter-State Championships in Chennai, clocking 11.36 seconds and 23.53 seconds respectively.
Dhanalakshmi had previously tested positive for the anabolic androgenic steroid, metandienone, in an out-of-competition test conducted by the Athletics Integrity Unit of World Athletics in May 2022. This led to her exclusion from the Indian team for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Her sample was taken in Antalya, Turkey, during a training stint with other Indian athletes before the Commonwealth Games. After serving her ban, she made a comeback at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Sangrur, Punjab.
However, within ten days of her return, she tested positive again, this time for drostanolone, a steroid that increases muscle mass and strength while reducing fat.
Dhanalakshmi clocked her personal best of 11.34 seconds for the 100m at the Tamil Nadu State meet in Salem on 19 July, and she won the 200m in 23.16 seconds. She then achieved another sprint double at the National Inter-State Championships in Chennai in August, with times of 11.36 seconds and 23.53 seconds.
A second steroid offence could lead to an eight-year suspension unless the athlete can prove unintentional use. The degree of fault or negligence would then determine the extent of the sanction.
Unless Dhanalakshmi can establish that the drostanolone came from a supplement or a prescription drug taken under a doctor’s supervision, or if the substance accidentally contaminated her food, the likelihood of her receiving a lenient punishment seems minimal.
October 07, 2025, 08:14 IST
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