India, Feb. 4 -- Indian gymnastics' poster girl Dipa Karmakar has been handed a retrospective 21-month suspension by International Testing Agency (ITA), an independent non-profit organisation that handles anti-doping test procedures for the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Dipa tested positive for higenamine, a beta-2 agonist, which means it is prohibited for consumption at all times, both in and out of competition. Dipa's samples were collected out-of-competition on October 11, 2021, and the ban runs until July 10, 2023. "Dipa Karmakar has been suspended for a 21-month period, effective until 10 July 2023 after testing positive for higenamine," ITA said. the statement added. Added to WADA's list of prohibited substances in 2017, higenamine can act as an anti-asthmatic to open up airways. It may also be cardiotonic, which means it can strengthen heart contraction to increase cardiac output.P15...