Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh has again tested positive for a dope test in his career, an occurrence that could see him banned for up to eight years if he is found guilty.
The 29-year-old, who represented India at the Tokyo Olympics, is understood to have tested positive for a prohibited substance when his urine sample collected out of competition earlier this year was analyzed. He was also training at the NIS Patiala at that time. He has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
Second Doping Offence Could End Career
“Yes, he has tested positive for a banned substance. It’s his second dope offence,” a source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
If found guilty and served a long ban, Shivpal’s career will be almost over. According to the NADA and WADA regulations, an athlete can be banned for a maximum period of eight years for a second doping offence.
Career Highlights and Personal Best of Shivpal Singh
Personal best of Shivpal Singh in his career was the silver medal he had won at the 2019 Asian Championships held in Doha, where he had hurled his personal best of 86.23m.
Earlier this year, Shivpal Singh’s sample had tested positive for the use of a steroid in an out-of-competition test. NADA Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, in August 2022, had imposed a four-year ban starting 2021 on him, considering him guilty of having committed a doping offence.
Appeal Panel Reduced First Ban of Shivpal Singh
He was to face the ban until 2025 but was able to successfully plead before the NADA Appeal Panel that “contaminated supplements” were the cause of his failed dope test.
The Appeal Panel, in January 2023, agreed with his argument and cut the ban period from four to one year. He resumed competition in April 2023 and captured a bronze at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar in June the same year. He also captured gold at the 2023 National Games in Goa.
