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India tops the list of doping offenders according to WADA report

A recent report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has brought to light some troubling news about doping violations in India.

By Soumya | Apr 10, 2024 | 2 Min Read

A recent report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has brought to light some troubling news about doping violations in India. According to the 2022 WADA report, 3.26% of samples taken from Indian athletes tested positive for banned substances, with a total of 127 out of 4,064 samples showing violations.

WADA report also found a 6.4 per cent increase in the total number of samples analysed and reported in its Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) in 2022, compared to the previous year. The percentage of AAF also increased to 0.77 per cent in 2022, from 0.65 per cent in 2021.

Samples in India were tested at the National Anti-Doping Laboratory (NDTL) at the JLN stadium. The analysis was based on failed drug tests among nations, with more than 2000 samples being tested by their respective testing laboratories.

Following India, South Africa ranked second with 80 doping failures (2.04 per cent from 4,169 samples tested), followed by Bangkok’s testing laboratory in third place, reporting 1.93 per cent of its testing pool (3,402 samples), returning 65 cases of AAFs. The United States and Qatar secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

India’s doping violations outnumber those of major sporting nations such as Russia (85), the United States (84), Italy (73), and France (72). China conducted the highest number of samples testing – 17,357 during the counting period – with an adverse findings percentage of 0.25 per cent.

India also topped the list for the highest percentage of failed EPO-Receptor Agonists (ERA) tests conducted per laboratory (blood), with 11 cases or 1.8 per cent of adverse analytical findings (AAFs).

The findings of this report highlight the widespread issue of doping in the Indian sporting landscape and the urgent need to find ways of combating the issue. It also calls for a robust scientific and research infrastructure in the country. Additionally, the figures shed light on the lack of basic knowledge about banned supplements and medicines among Indian coaches, doctors, and physiotherapists associated with teams across various disciplines.

WADA’s Director General, Olivier Niggli, said, “An intelligence-led strategic in- and out-of-competition testing plan is an important element of any strong anti-doping program and it is not the only angle of attack. Implemented along with values-based education, intelligence and investigations, and other strategies, testing is an important method of detection and deterrence that helps protect athletes and keep sport clean.”

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