Shipra Sarkar slapped with additional 4-year ban for competing during doping ban

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New Delhi: In a stern warning to athletes under doping sanctions, the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) has imposed an additional four-year ban on Shipra Sarkar, a national-level middle-distance runner, for participating in competitions while serving a four-year doping ban. Shipra, 30, was initially suspended from June 29, 2020 to June 28, 2024, after testing positive for androgens in an out-of-competition test in February 2020. However, she defied the rules during her ineligibility period and competed in the All India Inter-Railways Athletics Championships for two consecutive years, in 2022 and 2023. Her results, medals, and prizes obtained during this period will be disqualified. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) charged Shipra for violating Article 10.14.1 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021, which prohibits participation during ineligibility. The ADDP conducted a hearing and recently imposed the additional four-year ban, extending her suspension till June 27, 2028. The panel advised the Athletics Federation of India, notified by NADA, to ensure athletes serving a sanction period do not participate in competitions during their ineligibility. The ADDP also cautioned Shipra to refrain from participating in any sporting activity governed by applicable rules and regulations until the conclusion of her sanction period. This decision serves as a deterrent to athletes who may disregard doping sanctions and participate in competitions. In the hearing, Shipra admitted to participating in the meets, citing a genuine lack of understanding regarding the rules. However, the ADDP was not persuaded by her contention and held that she failed to exercise due diligence, resulting in the additional four-year ban.