National Games gold medallist handed three-year ban for doping

NEW DELHI: National Games discus throw champion Gagandeep Singh is among several athletes across disciplines who have received a three-year ban from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) instead of the maximum four years, after admitting their offence within 20 days of being charged.Representing Services, the 30-year-old Singh won gold in men’s discus throw at the Uttarakhand National Games on February 12 with a best attempt of 55.01m. However, he later tested positive for testosterone metabolites and was provisionally suspended.In its latest update on dope offenders, NADA confirmed that Singh’s ban was reduced by one year under the “case resolution agreement” provisions in Articles 10.8 and 8.3 of the NADA Anti-Doping Rules 2021. His ban will run from February 19, 2025.Under the rules, a first offence normally attracts a four-year ban. But Article 10.8 allows athletes to receive a one-year reduction if they admit to the violation and accept the sanction within 20 days of being charged (Article 10.8.1). Article 10.8.2 also enables athletes to reach a Case Resolution Agreement with NADA and WADA, determining the period of ineligibility based on the specifics of the case.As a result of the ruling, Singh will be stripped of his National Games gold medal, with Haryana’s Nirbhay Singh expected to be upgraded from silver to gold.Two other track and field athletes, Sachin Kumar and Jainu Kumar, also took advantage of the same provision to reduce their bans. Sachin’s three-year ban began on February 10, while Jainu’s started on February 20.Other athletes receiving three-year bans under the case resolution agreement include:Judokas: Monika Choudhary (metandienone), Nandani Vats (metandienone)Para powerlifters: Umeshpal Singh (stanozolol), Samuel Vanlaltanpuia (metandienone)Weightlifter: Kavinder (metandienone)Kabaddi player: Shubham Kumar (norandrosterone)Wrestler: Mugali Sharma (stanozolol, clenbuterol)Wushu players: Aman (norandrosterone, stanozolol), Rahul Tomar (drostanolone, mephentermine)One minor wrestler (name withheld)Most of these athletes had already been provisionally suspended by NADA earlier in the year.