WADA names India worst doping offender for third straight year

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Commuters ride past a signboard cut-out advertising the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad on Nov 29, 2025.

AFP

NEW DELHI – India tops the rankings of global sports drug cheats for a third straight year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said, marking a dubious hat-trick for the country.

India’s National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) collected 7,113 urine and blood samples out of which 260 tested positive in 2024, the international watchdog said in its annual report published late on Tuesday.

The findings are a major blow to India, which is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games – an event seen as a stepping stone for the country’s ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Athletics (76) had the highest number of doping cases last year followed by weightlifting (43) and wrestling (29).

In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.

At India’s University Games earlier this month, there were reports of just one athlete showing up for some track and field events after others fled because of the presence of anti-doping officials.

India, the world’s most populous country with 1.4 billion people, was also ranked No. 1 doping offender in 2022 and 2023.

French athletes accounted for the next highest number on the list in 2024 with 91 positive cases, while Italy were third with 85.

Russia and the United States come next at 76 cases each followed by Germany (54) and China (43).

NADA defended their fight against doping after the report.

“In recent years, India has witnessed a significant