Javelin thrower DP Manu fails dope test, could miss Paris Olympics 2024: Reports
Star Indian javelin thrower DP Manu, who hails from Karnataka, could miss the Paris flight as he has been reportedly served with a provisional suspension by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). According to The Tribune, a source in the Sports Authority of India (SAI), who maintained anonymity, confirmed that the athlete has been caught up in the dope net.
"It is confirmed that he has been served a notice although it is not clear whether it is a notice of charge or over some other violation," the source stated.
Notably, DP Manu is looking to seal the third vacant javelin spot for the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024 via the World Rankings quota. Reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Odisha’s Kishore Jena have already secured their spots for the Games.
Manu is currently ranked 15 in the Road to Paris rankings and is expected to make the cut for Paris 2024.
Though his name was initially featured in the start list for the Inter-State National Championships in Panchkula, Haryana, his name went missing in the final start list, which raised concerns. Interestingly, Manu holds the Inter-State meet record with a throw of 84.35 meters in June 2022.
DP Manu’s coach has a different stance
DP Manu’s coach Kashinath, however, had a different stance on the athlete missing the Championships, stating he is currently nursing an injury.
"Manu has a slight injury in the back which he picked up recently. It is not serious but we did not want to risk it and that is why he is not there in Panchkula for this meet," he told The Tribune.
"He is currently in ASI (Army Sports Institute) Pune but we never had to rush him back as he is comfortably placed in the race to qualify so the decision to not participate was taken," he added.
Manu has been trained since 2020 by his coach Kashinath Naik. Notably, Manu ended in the fifth spot at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
In July 2023, he threw over 81 meters to secure a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships. Later, in the World Athletics Championships in August 2023, he qualified for the final with an 81.31m throw, then threw 84.14m to finish in the sixth slot.