Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 20: In a major setback to Indian athletics, Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has once again found himself embroiled in a doping controversy, casting a shadow over his career. The 29-year-old athlete from Uttar Pradesh has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for methandienone, a banned performance-enhancing steroid.
Sources close to the matter have confirmed that Shivpal's sample was collected earlier this year during an out-of-competition test while he was training at the National Centre of Excellence in Patiala under the guidance of India’s javelin coach Sergey Makarov. The development comes after Shivpal skipped the Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Kochi held in April.
This is not the first time the Tokyo Olympian has been caught in a doping web. Shivpal previously served a one-year suspension after traces of the same banned substance—methandienone—were found in his system in 2021. While the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had initially imposed a four-year ban, his suspension was later reduced to one year in January 2023 after he successfully argued, through his legal counsel Parth Goswami, that the violation stemmed from a contaminated supplement.
However, with this being a potential second doping violation, Shivpal now faces the grim possibility of an eight-year suspension if found guilty—a blow that could virtually end his athletic career.
Interestingly, Shivpal has denied all allegations, stating in an interview with The Tribune on Monday, "It is not true. I am not under any suspension. I am still in Patiala training. I do not know who is spreading such rumours about me."
When questioned about his absence from the Federation Championships, the javelin thrower cited poor form. “What was the use of taking part when I was not throwing well? My idea is to compete when I am consistently touching the 85-metre mark,” he explained.
Contradicting his claims, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Adille Sumariwalla confirmed that Shivpal is not present at the national camp in Patiala. “He is not in the camp and not in Patiala. All steps have been taken by the AFI as per protocol,” said Sumariwalla.
Further revelations indicate that Shivpal was officially removed from the National Centre of Excellence following a directive from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) dated April 23.
As the investigation continues, the athletics community awaits clarity on Shivpal’s future, while concerns mount over repeated doping violations threatening India's global sporting reputation.