data | With 62 doping violations by athletes, India ranks second in drug abuse

Kamalpreet KaurThe 26-year-old Indian discus thrower was banned for three years from March 29 after he tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year. According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics, Kaur along with 62 Indian athletes have been arrested for doping or possession of banned substances. only Russia More doping violations have been registered than India, with 87 athletes being punished. chart 1 Shows the nationality of the 473 violators recorded by the AIU.

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With Kaur’s violation, the number of Indian women with doping violations has gone up to 17. However, more than 70% of all doping violations in India were male. If all athletes in the world are considered, this share drops to 60%. chart 2 Shows the gender-wise division of doping violations in India and the world.

Interestingly, Kaur’s sporting discipline (the discus throw) is the least affected by doping scandals. Worldwide, most doping violations are committed by long-distance runners. Globally, about 33% of all violations were committed by long-distance runners, 23% by short-distance sprinters and 10% by middle-distance runners. Less than 5% of violations occurred in all other disciplines, including games involving throws and jumps. chart 3 Shows the discipline-wise division of doping violations around the world. The number of violations by Indian athletes is also charted in the graph. Four Indian long distance runners have been caught doping. But with 21 violations, the shorter distance runners stand out. Overall, runners constituted almost half of Indian doping violations.

This is Kaur’s first anti-doping rule violation. Notably, the violation carries a sentence of four years, but this was reduced to three for admitting to doping within 20 days of Kaur receiving the notice. chart 4 Refers to the penalties received by athletes around the world for doping violations. The corresponding numbers for Indian athletes are annotated in the graph. About 56% of athletes have been banned for four years. If only Indian athletes are considered, the share of such athletes rises to 83%.

Thirty-six athletes have been banned for life globally. Only one such example is listed for India. Hammer thrower Jitendra Singh has been banned for life after testing positive for the second time.

Kaur’s sample tested positive for stanozolol metabolites. Stanozolol is a prohibited substance under the WADA 2022 Prohibited List. According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Stanozolol is a “synthetic steroid derived from testosterone and has anabolic and androgenic properties”. chart 5 Shows the substances used by doping violators around the world. Stanozolol is the most commonly used substance by Indian athletes, with seven being caught using or in possession of the drug.

*Biological variables reveal the effects of doping. Substance detection becomes unnecessary

However, EPO is the most commonly used drug worldwide, with more than 41 athletes caught using it. The USADA defines EPO as “part of a class of substances called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.” It is commonly used for “kidney failure, chemotherapy, and other medical conditions associated with red blood cell loss and anemia.” The organization says that EPO increases red blood cell mass and allows the muscles to transport more oxygen to increase endurance and performance.

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Figures in Chart 5 will not be included in the total number of doping violations because many athletes avoid, refuse or fail to submit samples; Some even tamper with them. This also does not include people who have used a combination of the two drugs.

The analysis includes only athletes who are listed in the AIU database.

vignesh.r@thehindu.co.in and rebecca.varghese@thehindu.co.in

Source: Athletics Integrity Unit

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