Glasgow: It was only a matter of time before a doping scandal hit the Commonwealth Games. This time, it involved a 16-year-old female weightlifting gold medalist from Nigeria. Chika Amalaha tested positive for the diuretic amiloride and masking agent hydrochlorothiazide - both banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency - after winning the 53-kilogram weight class last Friday, games officials said Tuesday.
She's the first athlete to test positive during the games, which opened last Wednesday night. Amalaha asked for the backup "B'' sample to be tested, which will happen in London on Wednesday. If that sample also comes back positive, she will be stripped of her medal."It shows we have a very robust anti-doping program in place," Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper said. "It sends a strong message to anybody in any sport that if you go down the path of doping, any substance to enhance performance, they will be caught ... it's an ongoing battle."
It's the second Commonwealth Games in a row that Nigeria has been in the doping spotlight. Four years ago in New Delhi, three of the four doping cases involved Nigerian runners, including women's 100-meter gold medalist Osayomi Oludamola.
