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India’s long distance runner Archana Jadhav has been handed four-match ban. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Tuesday, March 18 confirmed a ban on the Indian athlete who had returned positive for a prohibited substance, Oxandrolone. The test was conducted during the Pune half marathon in December 2024.
The World Athletics’ AIU confirmed its decision citing that Jadhav lacked contestation despite multiple reminders as an implicit admission of guilt. According to the AIU, the Indian athlete’s response indicated that she did not wish to request a hearing and was content with the world body’s ruling.
Archana Jadhav’s four-year ban to start from January 7
The long-distance runner was given until March 3 to officially admit to the Anti-Doping Rule Violation after the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sent a reminder on February 28 to which the runner did not respond. Later in the statement, the AIU stated, “…..the Athlete is deemed to have committed the Anti-Doping Rule Violations…..”
As a result, the Indian athlete has been disqualified for all competitions dating back from December 15, 2024. Additionally, the athlete is expected to forfeit all medals, awards, ranking points, prize money and appearances fees earned during this period.
Archana Jadhav last competed in the elite Indian women’s category at the Delhi half marathon in October 2024, finishing fourth with a timing of 1:20:21 behind Lili Das, Kavita Yadav and Priti Lamba. Her personal best includes 35:44:26 in the 10,000m, 10:28.82 in 3000m and 1:20:21 in half marathon.
