According to unconfirmed reports on Friday, Olympic weightlifter Talha Talib was one of two Pakistani weightlifters who tested positive in dope tests administered by the International Testing Agency (ITA).
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) told media that they had no verifiable knowledge regarding the development, while the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (PWF) declined to comment.
According to sources, the ITA, in collaboration with the International Weightlifting Federation, recently tested four Pakistani weightlifters for samples.
While the other lifters were being tested in Lahore, Talha was exercising at his gym in Gujranwala when ITA officials paid him a surprise visit to collect his samples.
When contacted by media, POA general secretary Khalid Mahmood and PSB director general Asif Zaman both stated that they had not received any formal information about the tests.
Khalid stated that the ITA would transmit the test findings confirmation immediately to the IWF and PWF.
“It is the athletes’ prime duty to be careful and avoid the usage of banned substances,” said Asif.
“The coaches and federations also have a responsibility in this regard.
“The PSB is seriously considering to conduct surprise dope tests of athletes who are currently attending training camps to participate in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.”
Talha, who nearly missed out on a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics last year, made it to the Games thanks to an invitation from the Tripartite Commission.
Talha later finished third on the podium at the World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
His meteoric ascension to the sport’s pinnacle may have prompted the ITA to conduct a test on the 22-year-old.
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