Indian long-distance runner Archana Jadhav gets a four-year doping ban

Indian long-distance runner Archana Jadhav has been banned from competing for four years after failing a doping test in January.

According to the Athletics Federation of India, oxandrolone was found in her sample from a Pune Half-Marathon in December last year. This synthetic anabolic steroid promotes protein production and muscle building in the body.

Archana Jadhav’s ban will take effect on January 7th. On February 25th, she accepted the ban in an email to the Athletics Federation of India. She will have to forfeit all awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money for the period. The AIU said Jadhav did not exercise her right to a ‘B’ sample test despite expressing a desire to do so in early communication.

In October 2024, Archana Jadhav finished 13th at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, while in September 2024 was 5th in 10,000m at the 63rd National Open Athletics Championships.