Doping remains a serious challenge in Indian sports, tarnishing the careers of many promising athletes. While India has made remarkable progress in global sports, numerous doping scandals have raised concerns about the integrity of its athletes. From track and field stars to weightlifters and powerlifters, doping violations have led to bans, stripped medals, and damaged reputations.
This list takes a detailed look at 10 Indian athletes who were caught in doping scandals, the substances involved, the consequences they faced, and the impact on their careers.
1. Nirmala Sheoran (Athletics) – Multiple Doping Violations and an Eight-Year Ban
Nirmala Sheoran, a 400m sprinter, was banned for four years in 2019 after testing positive for the banned substances drostanolone and metenolone, leading to the annulment of her results from 2016 to 2018, including her gold medals from the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships.
In February 2024, she received another eight-year ban after testing positive for anabolic steroids and testosterone. This effectively ended her career, as she remains suspended until 2031.
2. Sunita Rani (Athletics) – Stripped of Medals, Then Cleared
Middle-distance runner Sunita Rani faced one of India’s biggest doping controversies at the 2002 Asian Games. She won gold in the 1,500m and bronze in the 5,000m, but later tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) stripped her of both medals. However, after a review by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), she was exonerated and her medals were reinstated in 2003 due to inconsistencies in the test results.
3. Mandeep Kaur (Athletics) – Part of India’s 400m Relay Scandal
Mandeep Kaur, a 2010 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games gold medalist in the 4x400m relay, tested positive for methandienone and stanozolol (anabolic steroids) in 2011.
She claimed that contaminated food supplements were responsible, but the scandal resulted in India’s 400m women’s relay team facing intense scrutiny. Their Ukrainian coach, Yuri Ogrodnik, was sacked after multiple team members tested positive.
4. Priyanka Pawar (Athletics) – Multiple Doping Offenses, 8-Year Ban
Priyanka Pawar, a 2014 Asian Games 4x400m relay gold medalist, was involved in multiple doping violations.
- 2011: Banned for one year after testing positive for anabolic steroids.
- 2016: Tested positive for mephentermine, a stimulant, and was handed a harsh eight-year ban, effectively ending her career.
5. Dutee Chand (Athletics) – India’s Fastest Sprinter Caught in Doping Scandal
Dutee Chand, one of India’s most recognized sprinters, was banned for four years in August 2023 after failing two doping tests conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
This was a major shock to Indian athletics, as Chand had previously fought and won a landmark case against the IAAF’s hyperandrogenism policy, which allowed her to compete as a female athlete.
6. Aishwarya Babu (Triple Jump) – Banned for Doping in 2023
Triple jumper Aishwarya Babu, who had set a national record in the triple jump, failed a doping test in 2023. She was subsequently banned by NADA, ending her chances of competing at the highest level.
This case reinforced the importance of stringent testing in Indian track and field sports.
7. MV Jilna (Sprinter) – Doping Violation in 2023
Sprinter MV Jilna was another athlete who faced disciplinary action for doping in 2023.
She tested positive for a prohibited substance and was banned by NADA, once again highlighting the persistence of doping violations among Indian track and field athletes.
8. G. Lakshmanan (Long-Distance Runner) – Banned for Two Years
Distance runner G. Lakshmanan, a multiple-time national champion, received a two-year ban in 2023 after testing positive for a banned substance.
Lakshmanan had represented India at various international events, making his ban another setback for Indian athletics.
9. Sudhir (Para Powerlifting) – Banned for Morphine Use
Para powerlifter Sudhir, who won gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was banned for two years in 2023 after testing positive for morphine, a prohibited substance.
The ban was imposed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), raising concerns about doping control in para sports as well.
10. Mass Doping Scandals – Over 140 Athletes Caught in a Year
Between April 2022 and March 2023, an alarming 142 Indian athletes were caught in doping scandals.
This included weightlifters, wrestlers, boxers, and track and field athletes, showing that doping is widespread across multiple disciplines. Such high numbers highlight the need for:
- Stronger education programs on anti-doping regulations
- Better access to safe, tested supplements for athletes
- Harsher penalties to deter future violations
Why Doping Continues to be a Problem in Indian Sports
Despite India’s growing success in international sports, doping remains a major challenge due to:
- Lack of awareness: Many athletes unknowingly consume banned substances through supplements.
- Influence of coaches and trainers: Some athletes are misled into doping by their support staff.
- Pressure to perform: Young athletes often resort to shortcuts due to extreme competition and high expectations.
- Inadequate testing infrastructure: Although testing has improved, many doping cases still go undetected.
Summary: The Need for Stronger Anti-Doping Measures
Doping scandals have repeatedly tarnished Indian sports, leading to bans, lost medals, and damaged careers. While some athletes have unknowingly consumed banned substances, others have engaged in deliberate cheating to enhance performance.
To prevent future doping cases, India needs:
- Better anti-doping education for athletes and coaches
- Stricter testing and enforcement by NADA and WADA
- Safer, government-approved supplements
- Stronger penalties for repeat offenders
Indian sports must prioritize clean competition to ensure that future generations of athletes succeed through talent and hard work, rather than performance-enhancing drugs.
