New York, May 2 — The head of the International Testing Agency (ITA) has warned of a worrying surge in doping-related problems in India, saying athletes are sometimes given advance notice of tests or avoid providing samples, and that the country must undertake major governance and structural reforms if it hopes to host the 2036 Olympic Games. ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen made the remarks in comments carried by The Athletic on May 2, and said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has conveyed similar concerns about India’s anti-doping environment.
“We’re concerned in general with the state of doping in India and we’re hearing a lot of things happening on the ground,” Cohen was quoted as saying. He added: “We also hear stories of athletes running away when there is a doping control, and we hear of advance notice (given to athletes prior to testing).” The Lausanne-based ITA conducts anti-doping testing for the IOC and manages programmes for about 50 international sports federations.
Cohen said he met officials from the New Delhi-based National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina and was encouraged by their apparent willingness to “team up with the ITA.” Still, he acknowledged that formal cooperation will be sensitive. Bringing in the ITA could be perceived within India as an admission that domestic anti-doping arrangements have failed or are inadequate.
“I’m going to be frank: there is still some resistance to engage with the ITA, as there can be a perception in India that this is almost an admission of failure of the system,” Cohen said, adding that there is “a bit of scepticism as to how it’s going to be perceived in the Indian community.” He nonetheless noted that the IOA and the Ministry of Sports appear ready to invest in reform and that progress may be a matter of time.
The ITA increasingly works with national anti-doping organisations (NADOs) worldwide to share intelligence, coordinate testing plans, and collaborate on sample collection and education. India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of dope offenders for three consecutive years, recording the highest positivity rate among major nations.
The issue has implications for India’s hosting calendar: the country is set to stage the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and is bidding to host the 2036 Olympics in the Gujarat capital. Doha, Qatar, is also reported to be bidding for 2036, with the host city expected to be announced before the 2028 Los Angeles Games. (PTI)
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/05/03/we-hear-indian-athletes-running-away-when-theres-doping-control/
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Publish Date: 2026-05-03 04:38:00
