Tokyo Olympics: China’s weightlifter Zhizhui not taken for anti-doping tests

Tokyo Olympics: India’s weightlifter Mirabai Chanu who bagged a silver medal in the 49-kg women’s weightlifting competition at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 will remain the silver medallist while China’s Hou ZhiZhui who had won gold in the 49-kg women’s weightlifting will remain the gold medallist.

Zhizhui was not taken for anti-dope testing. Further, there has been no update from the routine anti-doping procedures that were conducted after the 49-kg weightlifting event.

Earlier, on July 27, 2021, as per a media report by ANI, China’s Zhizhui was to be tested by anti-doping authorities thereby offering Chanu a medal upgrade, also known as Olympic medal reallocation to gold. However, it has been clarified that the media report was an error.

India’s weightlifter Mirabai Chanu on July 24, 2021, had bagged a silver medal in the 49-kg women’s weightlifting competition at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Chanu bagged a silver for lifting a total of 202-kg, (115-kg in clean and jerk and 87-kg in snatch) in four successful attempts. China’s Zhizhui Hou had bagged gold for lifting 210-kg while making a new Olympic world record. Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah won a bronze for lifting 194-kg.

After winning a silver, Chanu has become the second Indian weightlifter who has won an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari who had won a bronze in the 69-kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games.

What is Olympic Medal Reallocation?

•The Olympic Medal Reallocation plays a crucial role in creating a clean sporting environment that upholds the values of the Olympics and rewards those clean athletes.

•The Olympic Medal Reallocation Principles support the Athletes’ Declaration and promote a transparent, fair, and clean sporting environment that prohibits doping and competition manipulation.

What are Anti-doping rules?

•Competing clean in the Olympics or any sporting event is key to maintain the fairness of sport. Athletes competing in the Olympics are barred from doping or using any performance-enhancing substances.

•The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) founded in 1999 by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) is the regulatory body and custodian for monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

Disclaimer: The source of the previous version of the copy was one ANI report, which was changed later. So, the copy has been corrected as per the updated information.