Bajrang Punia, Olympics Bronze medalist suspended by NDA for violating Anti-Doping Rules
Bajrang Punia, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for violating anti-doping rules
Punia allegedly refused to provide his urine sample after objecting to the use of allegedly expired kits by NADA. This incident occurred during the selection trials for the Paris Olympics qualification tournament in Sonepat on March 10, 2024. NADA stated that despite several requests and warnings from the Doping Control Officer (DCO) about the consequences of his refusal, Punia insisted on receiving a response from NADA regarding the expired kits before complying. Punia’s lawyer, Vidushpat Singhania, confirmed the suspension on June 23, 2024. According to a NADA document, Punia had been approached by a DCO who informed him of the requirement to provide a urine sample for doping analysis. However, Punia refused, citing previous instances where expired kits were used.
The DCO explained the consequences under the National Anti-Doping Rules (NADR) of 2021, but Punia remained non-compliant. Punia has until July 11, 2024, to respond to the notice by admitting the anti-doping rule violations, waiving a hearing, and accepting the proposed consequences. NADA warned that if Punia’s violations are upheld, he could face several consequences: disqualification of results from the event where the violation occurred, forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, and a potential four-year period of ineligibility, subject to reduction or suspension under Article 10 of the NADA. Additionally, the sanction will be automatically published and will bind NADA, the Wrestling Federation of India, and all signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code. Earlier, on April 25, 2024, the United World Wrestling (UWW) had also imposed a provisional ban on Punia until December 31, 2024, citing an alleged anti-doping rule violation. Following the suspension, Punia took to social media to clarify that he never refused to provide his sample but merely questioned the use of expired kits.
