Top sprinter S Dhanalakshmi has been booted out of the Commonwealth Games after failing a drug test, while national record holder triple jumper Aishwarya Babu has also tested positive for a prohibited substance, according to news agency PTI.
The 24-year-old Dhanalakshmi, who was named to the 36-member Indian athletics squad for the Birmingham CWG, tested positive for a prohibited steroid in a dope test performed abroad by the World Athletics, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
While seeking anonymity, a top source aware with the developments informed PTI: "Dhanalakshmi tested positive in a dope test conducted by AIU. She will not go for Birmingham CWG."
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Dhanalakshmi was nominated to the Commonwealth Games 100m and 4x100m relay teams, with Dutee Chand, Hima Das, and Srabani Nanda.
She was also chosen to the Indian squad for the upcoming World Championships in Eugene, USA, but was unable to compete owing to visa issues.
Dhanalakshmi won the 200m gold medal in a personal best timing of 22.89 seconds on June 26 at the Qosanov Memorial Athletics Meet. She was only the third Indian woman to break the 23-second barrier, following Saraswati Saha (22.82s) and Hima Das (22.88s).
Aishwarya, 24, had her drug sample tested positive by NADA authorities during the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai last month.
"Triple jumper Aishwarya Babu's sample, taken during the National Inter-State Championships, has returned positive," the source was quoted by PTI in its report.
Aishwarya shattered the national record for triple jump with a remarkable performance of 14.14m, emerging as the indisputable star of the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships (June 10-14) in Chennai.
(With Inputs From PTI)