Sports Ministry says 260 Indian athletes tested positive for doping in 2024

The number surpasses previous highest data of 224 cases recorded in 2019.

India has reportedly registered its highest-ever number of positive doping cases in a single year, with 260 athletes testing positive in 2024, according to figures revealed by the Sports Ministry during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

The data, sourced from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), comes from 7,466 samples tested across various sports.

This number surpasses the previous national high of 224 cases recorded in 2019. The data also witnesses a jump from 213 cases recorded in 2023.

India has consistently ranked among the top nations globally for dope violations. As mentioned by the New Indian Express, the problem is not limited to senior athletes, cases among juniors from India are already among the top nations.

Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi questioned the Sports Minister on the rising trend of anti-doping rule violations and sought year-wise and sport-wise data from 2021 to 2024.

Also Read: Top 11 Indian athletes who were banned for doping

Responding to the query, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya acknowledged the issue, stating that the government is “fully committed to curbing the menace of doping in sports” and is taking measures to strengthen testing and awareness programs.

Sport-wise data for 2024 shows athletics once again topping the list with 76 positive cases, up from 61 in the previous year. Weightlifting followed with 43 cases five more than previous year, wrestling with 29, and boxing with 17, almost doubling the figure of 2023 that recorded only 9.

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