Paris : Indian Paralympics shuttler, Tokyo Paralympics 2020 Gold medalist Pramod Bhakat suspended for 18 months for anti doping case and set to miss entire Paris Paralympics 2024.
The clause of anti doping states athletes need to provide detailed information about their locations for out-of-competition testing. Failure to comply can lead to suspensions, as it happened in this case.
“In 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months,” the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said in a statement.
“Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, appealed this decision to the CAS Appeals Division. On 29 July 2024, the CAS Appeals Division dismissed the Bhagat’s appeal and confirmed the CAS Anti-Doping Division decision of 1 March 2024. His period of ineligibility is now in effect,” the statement added.
Pramod Bhagat’s suspension is effective till September 1, 2025.
“It is extremely sad and unfortunate. He was a sure shot medal for India at the Paralympics but he is a fighter and I am sure he will come back stronger,” Indian para-badminton head coach Gaurav Khanna said.
With Pramod’s exclusion, India lost a golden opportunity to earn a medal.
