In the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal may turn into gold. The only caveat in this situation is that her shining silver medal turning into the glowing golden medal will depend on her opponent. What is this caveat and what do the Olympics association’s rules say regarding the situation, let’s take a deep dive into the matter.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. A Recap of Mirabai Chanu’s Historic Moment
3. New Rumours Start Brewing
4. Odds of Chanu Getting the Gold
5. Credible Source Adds Fuel to the Fire

Details

After her thumping victory against Zhihui Hou on Saturday, Indian weightlifting legend won the silver medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Not only did she bag a medal for herself, but she also put India in the list of medals winning countries and kicked off the quest for medal.

The 26-year-old weightlifter scripted history for herself and the country by winning the first-ever elusive silver medal in weightlifting. She was competing in the 49kg category at the Tokyo Olympics and went on to lift a total of 202 kg in the competition. The 202 kg amounted with 87kg lift in snatch and 115kg in the clean and jerk competition.

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A Recap of Mirabai Chanu’s Historic Moment

During the competitive streak, all of her four attempts at lifting the barbell were successful and she was beaten by China’s Zhihu hou who bagged the gold as she lifted 210kg. Hou in her competitive attempts also made a new Olympic Record. During the competition, Windy Cantika Aisah from Indonesia also clinched the bronze by lifting 194 kg.

After her brilliant efforts and her silver medal clinch, she was lauded by Indian masses and classes. Political leaders broke ranks to come together and appreciate Chanu on Twitter while sportspersons and fellow athletes also congratulated her. She was also massively appreciated by the celebrities and influencers.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver Medal, India’s Medal Hunt Begins

New Rumours Start Brewing

However, beneath all the frenzy of Chanu bagging the silver, a new development is now brewing. According to reports, Chanu still stands to have her silver medal converted into a golden one. It all started with a tweet by a netizen by the name of Kyle Bass whose designation on Twitter states that he is the Chief Investment Officer of Hayman Capital.

As per his tweet, the gold medal winner will have to undergo an anti-doping test by the Olympics authorities. In accordance to the International Olympics Association, if a player is found failing the anti-doping test, their medal will be withdrawn and, in this case, Chanu may stand a chance to take home a gold.

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Odds of Chanu Getting the Gold

However, it should be noted that at the Olympics as many as 5,000 athletes get tested randomly and their in-out samples get collected. Soon after the rumours started brewing, India Today journalist Boria Majumdar took to Twitter and said, “Why is the Chinese gold medal winning athlete who beat Chanu is being tested for dope 2 days later? There is a message in the Indian group in the village that says she is being tested and to watch out what happens. Members of the indian delegation not saying much! #TokyoOlympics”

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Credible Source Adds Fuel to the Fire

In an India Today report, it has been claimed that Chanu’s opponent Zhihu Hou has taken a test involving adverse analytical finding. This means that now there will be future tests which will identify if there were adverse identifications made in the first sample.

As per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), adverse analytical findings in test shows there has been presence of certain prohibited substance in a sample. Will Chanu’s silver medal be converted into gold, only time has to tell.