Doping Quiz

Notes:
Statement 1 is correct as APMU’s role is to monitor and manage Athlete Biological Passports (ABPs).
Statement 2 is incorrect as India is not the first country in Asia to host such a unit, it hosts the 17th such unit globally.
Statement 3 is correct as the main purpose of APMU is to ensure fairness in sports by detecting long term doping patterns.

Notes:
The 2nd NADA India Inclusion Conclave took place in New Delhi on September 18, 2024, following the first conclave held in December 2022. It was held alongside international meetings under the UNESCO anti-doping convention on September 17-18. Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Nikhil Khadse attended the inauguration. Organised by NADA under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the conclave aims to raise anti-doping awareness among para-athletes. India had the highest doping cases in 2022, and a WADA report from January 2024 ranked India second in doping cases by minors, after Russia.

Notes:
India hosted two major international meetings on the global fight against doping in sports on September 17 and 18. These included the 2nd Formal Meeting of the COP9 Bureau and the 3rd Formal Meeting of the Fund Approval Committee under UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sport. As Vice-Chairperson of the COP9 Bureau, India played a leading role in organizing the events, with participation from dignitaries from countries like Azerbaijan, France, Russia, and more. Discussions focused on strengthening anti-doping measures and promoting fair sports globally, with senior UNESCO officials also in attendance. High-profile dignitaries attended in-person, including ministers from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia.

Notes:
Experts have recently raised concerns about technological doping in sports. Technological doping involves gaining an advantage through specialized sports equipment, such as the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuits used in the 2008 Olympics, which were later banned. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulates and may prohibit technologies deemed “performance-enhancing” or contrary to the spirit of the sport.

Notes:
India led the world in doping cases in 2022, with 3,865 samples tested, resulting in 125 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs). This constitutes 3.2% of AAFs globally, the highest among nations testing over 2,000 samples. Russia and the USA followed India in doping cases. In a 10-year study by WADA, India ranked as the second worst offender globally for doping cases involving minors, with Russia topping the list. China was ranked third.

Notes:
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) have issued substantial suspensions to two athletes. Rachna Kumari, a hammer thrower, received a 12-year suspension for her second anti-doping violation, underscoring the gravity of doping offenses. Quarter-miler Nirmala Sheoran, with a history of violations, faces an eight-year suspension from NADA for her second offense, emphasizing the strict consequences for those breaching anti-doping rules in athletics.

Notes:
With the Paris Olympics approaching, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) held the “Road to Paris 2024: Championing Clean Sports and Uniting for Anti-Doping” Conference to educate Indian athletes on the dangers of prohibited substances. Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar. The university, recognized for its national significance, is a hub of innovation in forensic and cyber sciences. The event in New Delhi facilitates crucial discussions and strategies for anti-doping initiatives leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Notes:
During the NADA India – SARADO Cooperation Meet held in New Delhi, NADA India and SARADO, which includes Anti-Doping Organizations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The purpose of the MoU is to enhance regional collaboration in the field of anti-doping within sports. NADA functions under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.