Key NADA Action in Doping Case

Doping-related cases have once again drawn attention in Indian athletics. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has imposed a lifetime ban on athletics coach Rakesh Kumar in a case involving the supply of prohibited substances. NADA had suspended him in March last year and has stated that the lifetime ban took effect from that period. Powerlifter Gaurav Vats, who is facing allegations of illegal trafficking of prohibited drugs, has also been provisionally suspended.

Sprinter Prakriti Rupa Rao, a bronze medallist at the National Inter-State Championships, has been provisionally suspended after prohibited steroids were detected in her dope test. Weightlifter Chelsea, who won gold at the Khelo India Games, has been handed a five-year ban for failing a doping test. A minor weightlifter has also been provisionally suspended after tests detected the prohibited substance oxandrolone. Meanwhile, quarter-miler Kaushal Kumar, steeplechaser Jujhar Singh and long-distance runner Baljeet Kaur are among the other athletics names listed under provisional suspensions.