Mandeep Kaur claims innocence

A teary-eyed quarter-miler Mandeep Kaur, who flunked an out-of-competition dope test on Friday denied taking any steroids knowingly.

The test was conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
"I am in the International Registered Testing Pool of the WADA after the Asian Games and I am not a mad person that I would take steroids to enhance performance.

"Steroids remain inside the body for three months and how can any athlete who is in the international testing pool take drugs," Mandeep, who had won gold in Commonwealth and Asian Games 4x400m relay, told reporters.

Mandeep has been suspended and faces a two-year ban after flunking an out-of-competition dope test.

The 'B' samples of the athletes returned positive for anabolic steroids in the tests conducted by IAAF.

Her 'B' sample had adverse analytical findings for epimethandiol, metabolites of methandienone and stanozolol.

Mandeep said she suspected that the banned substances were present in the food supplements and vitamins that she had taken from outside the NIS Patiala where they had been training.

"I suspect the food supplements; vitamins we took could have created the problems. We don't have a doctor and we don't know which drug can create problems. We ourselves can't become doctors," Mandeep said.

"We bought the supplements and vitamins by ourselves and I want them to be tested whether they contain steroids," she added.

Stating that she had never faced a situation like this during her career, the 23-year-old said, "I had not taken any banned substance in my career. I have been running at the top level for the last 6-7 years and this is the first time it is happening.

"Why should I do something which would taint the reputation of my family?"

The development is a huge setback for the country as it would be difficult for India to qualify for the London Olympics in women's 4X400m relay race as Mandeep has been an important member of the quartet for some time.