Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Athletics Coach Gets Life Ban; Powerlifter Suspended Over Drug Trafficking
India’s anti-doping agency has announced new punishments involving athletes, a coach, and a powerlifter.
Coach Rakesh Kumar received a lifetime ban for giving athletes substances that are not allowed.
Powerlifter Gaurav Vats was temporarily suspended over alleged possession and trafficking of banned drugs.
Officials found many banned substances at a company connected to Vats.
Sprinter Prakruthi Roopa Rao was suspended after tests found two prohibited steroids.
Weightlifter Chelsi received a five-year ban after failing a doping test.
Several other athletes were also temporarily suspended.
These cases show that banned drugs continue to be a problem in Indian athletics and weightlifting.
Athletics coach Rakesh Kumar received a life ban for administering prohibited substances, effective from his suspension in March last year.
Powerlifter Gaurav Vats was provisionally suspended over alleged possession and trafficking of banned drugs linked to his supplement company.
Sprinter Prakruthi Roopa Rao was provisionally suspended after testing positive for Stanozolol and Drostanolone.
Khelo India Games gold medalist Chelsi received a five-year ban after failing a doping test.
Authorities recovered about 2,800 capsules or tablets and 11 injectable units during a crackdown at Vats’ company premises in Najafgarh.
- Who
- National Anti-Doping Agency sanctioned athletics coach Rakesh Kumar, powerlifter Gaurav Vats, and several athletes, including Prakruthi Roopa Rao and Chelsi.
- What
- Kumar received a life ban, Chelsi received a five-year ban, and Vats and several athletes were provisionally suspended in doping-related cases.
- When
- The latest sanctions list was issued on Wednesday; Kumar’s ban is effective from March last year, and the drug seizure occurred in April.
- Where
- The seizure took place at Vats’ nutritional supplements company premises in Najafgarh.
- Why
- The sanctions followed allegations or findings involving administering, possessing, trafficking, or testing positive for prohibited substances.
- Issuing agency
- National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)
- Coach sanctioned
- Rakesh Kumar received a life ban for administering prohibited substances.
- Powerlifter suspended
- Gaurav Vats was provisionally suspended for possession and trafficking of banned drugs.
- Athletics suspensions
- Seven athletics names appeared on the provisionally suspended list.
- Drug seizure
- Approximately 2,800 capsules or tablets and 11 injectable units were recovered.
- Location of seizure
- Vats’ company premises in Najafgarh.
- Other major ban
- Khelo India Games gold medal-winning weightlifter Chelsi received a five-year ban.