India tops global doping list for third straight year, WADA report reveals
India tops global doping list for third straight year, WADA report reveals
A new WADA report puts India at the top of global doping violations for the third year running, signaling persistent challenges for the country's anti-doping efforts.
India has topped the global doping violations list for the third consecutive year according to the World Anti-Doping Agency's annual report released on December 16. In 2024, India flagged 260 athletes for dope violations, the highest count among all nations.
The breakdown shows athletics with 76 cases, the highest share, followed by weightlifting with 43 and wrestling with 29. Together these three sports account for a significant portion of India's total violations, while other disciplines also contribute.
Despite intensified testing and harsher penalties, the figures remain high, prompting questions about training practices, medical oversight, and the effectiveness of anti-doping education within India's sports ecosystem.
The report stresses that many cases involve elevated substances or methods and underscores the need for robust testing, transparent reporting, and stronger athlete support programs to prevent doping and safeguard competition.
With major international events on the horizon, officials say the country must address governance gaps in anti-doping, ensure consistent enforcement, and rebuild public trust in sport.
Athletes, coaches, and administrators offered mixed reactions, but there was a common call for sustained reform, better education, and accountability from grassroots clubs to national federations.
