In a shocking turn of events for Indian athletics, Tamil Nadu sprinter S. Dhanalakshmi has reportedly tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in her career. This disheartening news, confirmed by reliable sources, casts a dark shadow over her recent comeback to the competitive circuit.
The 27-year-old athlete had only just rejoined the sport this season, having completed a three-year suspension for an earlier doping violation. On that first occasion, she had tested positive for metandienone, an anabolic androgenic steroid. Her return was marked by a triumphant performance at last month’s National inter-state meet in Chennai, where she achieved a personal best of 11.36 seconds to clinch the women’s 100m title, hinting at a promising path forward.
However, further critical details regarding the nature of her second positive test are yet to be officially revealed. The immediate consequence of this development is her conspicuous absence from the ongoing National Open meet in Ranchi, where her name was notably missing from the official entry list. This latest incident undoubtedly raises serious questions about the effectiveness of anti-doping measures and athlete accountability within the national sports framework.