New Delhi: India’s long-distance runner Archana Jadhav has been handed a four-year ban after failing a dope test in January. Archana’s inability to contest despite repeated reminders prompted World Athletics to consider her silence as acceptance of guilt.
Jadhav’s sample was collected at the Pune Half-Marathon in December last year. According to the World Athletics’ Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU), the sample contained a prohibited substance named Oxandrolone – a synthetic anabolic steroid that promotes protein production and muscle building in the body.
The ban came into effect on January 7 and during this period Jadhav has been under provisional suspension. Her reply came after a long delay on February 25 when she had replied to the violation charge in an e-mail to the AIU stating: “I am extremely sorry sir…I welcome your decision.”
The AIU informed Jadhav that she had time till March 3 to admit that she had committed the Anti-Doping Rule Violations. She also got a reminder from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on February 28. The AIU, however, did not receive any response from the Indian athlete.
The AIU also deemed Jhadav’s response didn’t demonstrate that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were “not intentional”.
“…the Athlete is deemed to have committed the Anti-Doping Rule Violations…,” the AIU stated. As a result, “a period of ineligibility of four years” commences on January 7.
Big blow for Jadhav
Due to the ban, her results on and since December 15, 2024, stand disqualified and in addition, she will be forced to forfeit all awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money gained during this period.
According to AIU, Jadhav did not exercise her right to a ‘B’ sample test despite her initial willingness. Her response came way after the stipulated date of January 17 which stated that she was hospitalised owing to illness.
She was earlier informed about the procedure and the cost involved in getting a test. The AIU also provided an extended deadline to the athlete but the athlete once again failed to respond or make the full payment.
She last featured in the Delhi half marathon in October 2024 in the elite Indian women’s race and finished fourth with a time of 1:20.21 behind Lili Das, Kavita Yadav and Priti Lamba.
According to the World Athletics’ Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU), Archana’s sample contained a prohibited substance named Oxandrolone Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
