New Delhi: India’s Tokyo Olympics weightlifting silver medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu could be elevated to gold if Zhihui Hou fails the dope test after the Chinese lifter was asked to stay back anti-doping authorities, according to reports.
Zhihui lifted 210kg to take home gold creating a new Olympic record while Mirabai Chanu bagged silver with 202kg (87+115). The bronze went to Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah with 194kg. “She has been asked to stay in Tokyo and the test will be done. The test is definitely happening,” a source in the know of developments told ANI.
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 25, 2021
According to the rules, if any athlete, who won a gold, fails the dope test, the silver medallist will be elevated to the top prize. Similarly, the bronze medal winner will get the second spot and the fourth in the list will be awarded the third position.
Mirabai Chanu’s silver in the women’s 49kg category on Saturday is the first instance India won a medal on the first day of any Olympics in history. Mirabai Chanu also became the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari bagged bronze at the 2000 Sydney Games.
