A sample collected from young sprinter Chelsea Melanie Benderage at the National Sports Festival 2018, which was held in Polonnaruwa in October 2018, has tested positive for a banned substance, putting the athletic fraternity on red alert.
Chelsea rose to fame as an upcoming young sprinter last year with her performance at the All Island School Games and the Sir John Tarbet Senior meet. At the All Island School Games, Chelsea ran a record time of 12.27s in the Under 18 100m before anchoring her school team to victory in the 4X100m relay, setting a new meet record in the event. At the Senior John Tarbet, the under 18 4X100m relay team of Gamini National School recorded an impressive time of 49.96secs, erasing a 15-year-old record which was held by Holy Family Convent previously.
Chelsea after her record-breaking run at the All Island School Games
On the back of these impressive performances, the young sprinter was picked for the Southern province 4X100m team which participated at the National Sports festival. Chelsea ran the second lap which she delivered in style as Southern province won Gold. However, the win turned hollow as the the sample that was collected by Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) after the conclusion of the event has returned testing positive. Chelsea can now either opt to accept the charge on her or get the B Sample tested.
Read: Quarter miler Kumarage in hot water for doping
Its’s an alarming development as the young sprinter who is merely 18 years of age, is still a student and this could be just the tip of the iceberg which indicates the dangerous presence of the doping mafia in the school system. Leading quarter miler, Kalinga Kumarage received a provisional ban earlier this year after testing positive for a banned steroid and could receive a ban up to 5 years after the inquiry which will be held by the disciplinary committee of SLADA.
