India Has Most Doping Bans, Passes Kenya With 148 Athletes Suspended

India now has 148 athletes banned for doping, which is more than Kenya. This is a big problem for sports in India.
By Newsroom | Sports, India |

India has surpassed Kenya to claim the top spot on the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) list of ineligible persons due to doping violations, now listing 148 suspended track and field athletes. This marks a significant shift, with India registering two more suspended athletes than the previously leading African nation. The list, updated as of April 1, encompasses individuals serving periods of ineligibility stemming from both national and international cases.

India surpasses Kenya in AIU's list of ineligible athletes due to doping - 1

The roster of banned athletes extends beyond simple doping infractions. It also includes individuals sanctioned for violations such as tampering, evading testing, and missing whereabouts. Prominent Indian athletes like Dutee Chand and Parvej Khan are among those currently serving suspensions. Khan, a middle-distance runner, faces a ban until July 2030, while national 100m record holder Chand is serving a four-year suspension.

India surpasses Kenya in AIU's list of ineligible athletes due to doping - 2

In response to this escalating situation, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has begun implementing stricter anti-doping measures. These efforts include the tracking of training centers associated with doping violations and a requirement for coaches to register. Coaches who remain unregistered risk being blacklisted, which in turn impacts the eligibility of their athletes for national awards.

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India surpasses Kenya in AIU's list of ineligible athletes due to doping - 3

Russia occupies the third position on the AIU's list, with 66 athletes currently suspended. Reports indicate that this list has seen a substantial overall increase, with one analysis noting a 39% rise in the global number of ineligible persons over a nine-month period. This trend suggests a broader challenge within the sport.

India surpasses Kenya in AIU's list of ineligible athletes due to doping - 4

The AIU's Global List of Ineligible Persons, which includes athletes and support personnel, shows 142 individuals from Kenya and 129 from India on a list from September 30. Other nations with notable numbers of ineligible persons include China (35), Turkey (21), and South Africa (20).

Background and Context

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) serves as the independent anti-doping, anti-corruption, and integrity unit for track and field globally. Its mandate involves investigating and prosecuting breaches of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules and Integrity Code of Conduct. The "Global List of Ineligible Persons" is a consolidated record of all individuals currently serving a period of ineligibility in athletics, a list that has seen significant growth.

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While the provided data focuses on recent updates, it’s worth noting that this issue is not entirely new. Reports from late 2025 indicated a similar trend, with both Kenya and India featuring prominently on AIU sanctions lists for doping and non-doping violations. One update mentioned that Kenya and India, alongside Russia, made up more than half of the violations posted the previous year. The severity of sanctions varies, with most athletes serving bans between four and five years, though some face life bans or lengthy suspensions up to 8 or 10 years.

The inclusion of individuals on the AIU list extends to those sanctioned for infractions found at national-level competitions and decisions, as highlighted by the inclusion of athletes sanctioned at events like the Khelo India University Games 2023 and the 37th National Games in Goa.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does India now have the most banned athletes for doping?
India has passed Kenya to have the most athletes banned for doping. There are now 148 Indian athletes on the banned list. This list includes people banned for doping, missing tests, or other rule breaks.
Q: Who are some famous Indian athletes banned for doping?
Famous athletes like Dutee Chand and Parvej Khan are currently banned. Parvej Khan is banned until 2030, and Dutee Chand is banned for four years.
Q: What is India doing to stop doping in sports?
The Athletics Federation of India is making rules stricter. They are tracking training places and making coaches register. Unregistered coaches could be banned, which affects their athletes.
Q: How does India compare to other countries in doping bans?
Russia has the third most banned athletes with 66. Kenya, which used to be first, now has 142 banned athletes. The total number of banned athletes worldwide has gone up by 39%.
Q: Are these bans only for doping, or for other reasons too?
The bans are for more than just doping. Athletes can also be banned for breaking rules like trying to cheat, not showing up for tests, or not telling officials where they are.