Archive · 10 Sep 2026
India’s Asian Games preparations face widening doping crisis
India has removed or suspended several athletes because of suspected doping violations.
The latest case involves wrestler Deepak, whose sample was collected during selection trials.
Two other Indian wrestlers had already been suspended.
This means India will not compete in three wrestling weight categories at the Asian Games.
Athletes from sports such as weightlifting, judo, athletics, wushu, swimming, shooting and rowing have also been involved in cases or proceedings.
India recorded 260 adverse findings in 2024.
The World Anti-Doping Agency says India has a serious problem but recognizes that officials are trying to address it.
The issue could affect India’s hopes of hosting major sporting events.
Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak was provisionally suspended after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Deepak joins wrestlers Deepanshu and Mukul Dahiya, leaving India unrepresented in three categories.
Nearly a dozen athletes across several sports have faced anti-doping cases or proceedings during the Asian Games buildup.
India recorded 260 adverse analytical findings in 2024, topping the global list for the third consecutive year.
WADA president Witold Banka warned that India’s doping record could threaten its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
- Who
- Indian athletes, the National Anti-Doping Agency, and the World Anti-Doping Agency are central to the report.
- What
- Multiple Indian athletes have tested positive for prohibited substances or faced anti-doping proceedings before the Asian Games.
- When
- The latest wrestling suspension came 10 days before the Asian Games; the reported cases span recent months and include 2024 testing figures.
- Where
- The cases involve India, including a sample collected in Lucknow; related anti-doping discussions took place in New Delhi.
- Why
- The athletes were suspended or removed because of positive tests, suspected violations, or whereabouts failures, amid broader concerns about India’s anti-doping system.
Indian Anti-Doping Response
WADA’s Systemic Concern
How the problem is being addressed
Indian Anti-Doping Response
Indian authorities, including the National Anti-Doping Agency, have suspended athletes and are pursuing cases; WADA president Witold Banka said efforts to address the problem appeared sincere.
WADA’s Systemic Concern
WADA has warned that the scale of India’s adverse findings indicates a serious systemic problem requiring action against the supply chain of performance-enhancing drugs and steroids.
Impact on major sporting ambitions
Indian Anti-Doping Response
India continues to prepare bids to host major sporting events, including the 2036 Olympics, while attempting to improve anti-doping compliance.
WADA’s Systemic Concern
Banka said hosting the Olympics would not be possible without WADA compliance and warned that India’s poor record could threaten its bid.
- Latest case
- Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak was provisionally suspended after a positive test.
- Sample collection
- Deepak’s sample was collected during Asian Games selection trials in Lucknow on May 31.
- Wrestling impact
- India will be unrepresented in three wrestling weight categories at the Asian Games.
- Broader cases
- Nearly a dozen athletes across weightlifting, judo, wrestling, athletics, shooting, rowing and wushu have faced cases or proceedings.
- 2024 adverse findings
- India recorded 260 adverse analytical findings, according to WADA testing figures.
- WADA warning
- WADA president Witold Banka said India’s anti-doping record could threaten its 2036 Olympic hosting bid.