Doping Concerns Cast Shadow on India’s Olympic Ambitions

AFP

New Delhi: India’s ambitions to host major global sporting events have come under fresh scrutiny after the Athletics Integrity Unit placed the country in its highest-risk category for doping, alongside nations such as Russia and Kenya.

The move elevates India to Category A,  the strictest classification, requiring athletes to meet enhanced anti-doping compliance standards. The decision reflects what the AIU described as a persistently high-risk environment and gaps in the country’s domestic anti-doping framework.

Despite repeated calls for reform by the Athletics Federation of India, progress has been limited, AIU Chair David Howman said, adding that stronger oversight and systemic improvements are now essential to protect the integrity of athletics.

The development comes at a critical time for India, which is positioning itself as a future host of marquee sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and a potential Olympic bid.

While doping concerns have historically not disqualified nations from hosting, they often raise questions about governance standards and athlete monitoring systems.

Data cited by the AIU shows India ranked among the top countries globally for anti-doping violations in athletics between 2022 and 2025, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Recent cases have kept the issue in the spotlight. Asian Games gold medallist Prathamesh Jawkar was handed a two-year ban after a whereabouts failure, ruling him out of upcoming international competitions.

During a recent visit to New Delhi, Witold Bańka, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, described India as a major source of performance-enhancing drugs globally, though he noted that such challenges are unlikely to derail its chances of hosting future sporting events.

The AIU said it will work closely with Indian authorities to implement reforms, as it has done with other high-risk countries, in an effort to strengthen testing, compliance, and education systems.