New Delhi, Oct. 11: The Commonwealth Games was hit by a dope scandal when Nigerian women's 100m gold medallist Osayemi Oludamola tested positive for a banned stimulant and was placed under provisional suspension pending a test of her 'B' sample.
After the absence of any doping cases in the first seven days, competitions on the eighth day of the Games started with reports coming out that the first positive result had come in which were later confirmed by CGF President Michael Fennell.
“I regret to announce that a positive dope case has come out. Nigeria's Osayemi Oludamola has tested positive for methylhexaneamine and under anti-doping rules of the Games, she has been handed a provisional suspension,” Fennell said.
“Under anti-doping procedures she has been notified and she has requested for a 'B' sample testing. The 'B' sample testing will be done today and her hearing will also be held today,” he added.
Asked whether the gold medal has been taken back from the Nigerian, the CGF chief said, “At the moment no decision has been taken about the medal. She has been put under provisional suspension.”
The gold Oludamola won came in dramatic circumstances when Australian Sally Pearson was stripped of her medal in the women's 100m sprint for a false start.
The Nigerian had crossed the finish line in second place behind the Aussie woman and was later awarded the gold when Pearson was punished for jumping the gun.
On the field of play, India were again looking forward to another successful medal harvest to maintain their second spot in the table behind front runners Australia.
The expectations are huge, especially from their star-studded boxing squad who have till now competed under the shadow of the host country's sharp shooters, powerful grapplers and fast rising archers who have scooped up a sackful of medals.
Seven boxers, including Olympic Games bronze medallist Vijender Singh, have made it to the semi finals to be held today and assured themselves and the country of as many medals.
Even a loss at this stage would assure all seven boxers of at least a bronze, but it's certain all of them would be gunning for the gold.
The seven are Anandeep Singh (lt.-fly), Suranjoy Singh (fly), Jai Bhagwan (lt. welter), Manoj Kumar (lt. welter), Dilbag Singh (welter), Vijender Singh (middle) and Paramjeet Samota (super heavy).
Their opponents are from Northern Ireland, Pakistan, England, Bahamas and Tonga. The winners would progress to the finals on Wednesday after tomorrow's break.
Thus far India's tally includes 29 gold, just one shy of their all-time best of 30 in 2002 at Manchester, 22 silver and as many bronze medals and is made up mainly of those won in the shooting range and on the wrestling mat.
Out of the total gold heist, the shooters, who are still in fray, have scooped up 13, the all-powerful wrestlers and the fast-improving archers - both through with their campaign - have picked up 10 and 3 respectively.
Also, out of the record overall medal heist of 73, these three sports have secured 51 - a sure indication of their vast contribution.
The surprise packet for India have been the athletes who have garnered two silver and as many bronze medals, also the best-ever from any single Games.
The medal winners have been field athletes Vikas Gowda (men's discus), Prajusha Malliakal (women's long jump), Harminder Singh (men's 20km road walk) and Kavita Raut (women's 10,000m).
Today, triple jump hope Renjit Maheshwari would be in action along with seasoned women's discus throwers Krishna Pooniya and Seema Antil.
Young Gayatri Govindraj takes her bow in women's 100m hurdles while preliminary rounds of all four relay events would also be gone through and India have entered in all.
In rugby 7s, India - who are making their debut - lost to Wales.
In shooting, world champion Tejaswini Sawant and Meena Kumari are competing in the 50m rifle prone event for women along with skeet shooters Allan Daniel Peoples and Mairaj Ahmad Khan.
Sarabjit Singh will appear in men's 105kg Weightlifting competition.
There's Indian presence in the squash doubles event too.
Indians would also seen in action in table tennis and badminton's individual competitions.