Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India has been classified as an “extremely high” doping risk nation by World Athletics after topping the list of doping offenders for the last two years. The decision means Indian athletes will now face stricter anti-doping rules.The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Board on Monday moved the Athletics Federation of India from Category B to Category A under Rule 15 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, news agency PTI reported.“The doping situation in India has been high-risk for a long time and, unfortunately, the quality of the domestic anti-doping programme is simply not proportionate to the doping risk,” AIU Chair David Howman said, as quoted by PTI.“While the AFI has advocated for anti-doping reforms within India, not enough has changed. The AIU will now work with the AFI to achieve reforms to safeguard the integrity of the sport of athletics, as we have done with other ‘Category A’ Member Federations.”India has been among the top two countries for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in athletics from 2022 to 2025. According to AIU data, India recorded 48 ADRVs (ranked 2nd) in 2022, 63 (ranked 2nd) in 2023, 71 (ranked 1st) in 2024 and 30 ADRVs (ranked 1st) in 2025 so far.Under World Athletics rules, Category A federations are considered highest risk and must follow stricter measures, including minimum testing of national-level athletes. Category B represents medium risk and Category C low risk.India has also gone past Kenya to top the AIU list of ineligible athletes due to doping, with 148 suspended athletes.How long the classification may remainUnder Rule 15.3.3, the AIU reviews each federation’s category every three years. The decision is based on factors such as doping history of athletes and support staff, intelligence inputs, performance levels in international events, and the strength of the national anti-doping system. The AIU can also change the category at any time within this period.Obligations under Category AA Category A federation must run an annual testing programme that meets international standards. This includes testing athletes in competition, out of competition without notice, and blood testing before events under the Athlete Biological Passport system as per World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines.All testing details must be documented and shared with the AIU. Even athletes training outside the country must be tested.National federations must track the performance of elite athletes and update testing pools regularly.No athlete can take part in events like the World Athletics Championships or the Olympic Games unless they have undergone at least three no-notice out-of-competition tests in the 10 months before the deadline set by the AIU.For Athletes competing in all other disciplines, the three Out-of-Competition Tests may be blood or urine.”Under Rule 15.5.3, each Category A federation must also set up an Anti-Doping Monitoring Committee to ensure compliance.
