Top Indian athletes fail dope tests conducted by the IAAF

Top Indian athletes in the form of 400m runner Nirmala Sheoran, Sanjivini Jadhav (5,000m and 10,000m), Jhuma Khatun (1500m) and Sandeep Kumari (discus throw) have all reportedly failed dope tests which were conducted by world athletics body (IAAF)’s Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

In the list of athletes to have failed the dope test, only one male athlete features in the form of Naveen Chikara.

Of all, Nirmala, Sanjivini and Sandeep–all had represented the country in the Asian Games in Indonesia earlier this year.

Of the athletes caught, two were training at the national camp at the SAI (Sports Authority of India) South Centre Bengaluru. Others were scheduled to train at the NIS in Patiala.

Sources add that Nirmala, who was nowhere to be seen before the Asian Games this year hasn’t joined the national camp, but has been traced.

Also read: India’s super show in athletics a ray of hope

Reports from The Times of India state, “There are reports that these samples were collected during the Inter-State meet – billed as the Asian Games trials – held in Guwahati. These results have arrived only now and that’s why some of these athletes were able to compete at the Asian Games.”

“There is no change to the situation from what it was before. Even the other day, some athletes ran away from the camp when Nada officials made a surprise visit to collect samples,” sources added, stressing the fact that athletes continue to do the disappearing act with the connivance of the authorities,” further added sources.

This development comes in wake of the fact that many of these athletes, who has reportedly failed the dope test were part of India’s Asian Games campaign this year where the country had its best-ever haul of 69 medals. Of that number, 19 medals came from athletics alone which included seven gold.

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