Pramod Bhagat 'deeply saddened' by CAS decision; Paralympic champion reacts to Paris 2024 suspension

Pramod Bhagat will be now forced to miss the Paris Paralympics 2024.

India has faced a significant setback ahead of the Paris Paralympics 2024 due to the suspension of Pramod Bhagat, a top badminton player and defending champion in the SL3 category. Bhagat, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, will not be competing in Paris this time.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division suspended Bhagat for 18 months after he was found guilty of violating anti-doping regulations set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The violation was due to three “whereabouts failures” within a year, which means Bhagat failed to be available for testing as required.

In response, Bhagat clarified that the suspension resulted from a technical glitch in the third instance, rather than any intentional wrongdoing on his part. Despite his explanation, the suspension means he will miss the upcoming Paralympics, a significant loss for India’s chances in the sport.

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— Pramod Bhagat (@PramodBhagat83) August 13, 2024

The para shuttler was suspended by the BWF in March this year for anti-doping violations as he failed to inform about his whereabouts. He was guilty of three whereabouts failures. Two weeks back, he appealed to the Court of arbitration of sport (CAS) Appeals Division but they rejected his case and upheld the decision of CAS Anti-Doping Division.

The 36-year-old was India’s gold medal contender at Paris Paralympics 2024. The nation was represented by Manoj Sarkar and Nitesh Kumar in SL 3 badminton at the Paralympics. Sarkar had won the bronze medal in Tokyo Paralympics 2020 and will now look to lead the nation’s hopes at Paris.

Also Read: India has highest percentage of doping offenders: WADA anti-doping report

What is the whereabouts failure in anti-doping violations for athletes?

Athletes are subjected to doping tests all year and whereabouts failure come under article 2.4 of the World Anti-doping code. The athletes have to serve a minimum of 12 months suspension when they fail three tests or do not inform why they missed the tests before the designated deadline.

International athletes are part of the registered testing pool (RTP). Once they are part of RTP, they could be tested unannounced wherever they are located at. Athletes will have to inform quarterly about their whereabouts to RTP which includes their timing of training sessions, events and also a 1 hour window during their schedule where they can be tested.

Athletes are given notices whenever they miss the tests. They are supposed to reply to the notices within two weeks. Once they answer the notice and give a reason for missing the tests it is reviewed by the officials.

The decision taken by the officials can be again sent for review by the athletes in two weeks. The final decision will be informed within a month after which the athlete can challenge their violation charge.

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