Chinese national champion fails dope test

Beijing, Feb 20 (IANS): China’s athletics national champion Sun Lu has tested positive for a diuretic, the country’s anti-doping body said Wednesday.

Sun was found using hydrochlorothiazide, a medicine that treats fluid retention and high blood pressure and can be used to cover the traces of other performance-enhancing drugs, the China Anti-Doping Agency said.

Sun, who had requested an analysis of her B sample, which still turned out positive, gave up the right for a hearing.

Sun, from Henan province, won the women’s 1,500m title in last year’s athletics national championships and the positive test is expected to bring a ban to keep her from this year’s national games, an event held every four years.