Tokyo gold medalist para badminton player Pramod Bhagat will not be able to retain his title in the Paris Paralympics. He has been suspended for 18 months for violating the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) anti-doping ‘whereabouts’ rule.
“The Badminton World Federation confirms that India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months and will not play at the Paris Paralympics,” BWF said in a statement.
It said, “On March 1, 2024, the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found Bhagat guilty of violating the BWF Anti-Doping Rules. He had failed to report his whereabouts three times in a year.” Bhagat, 36, an SL3 player, had appealed against the decision in the appeal department of CAS, which was rejected last month.
“On July 29, 2024, the Appeals Division of CAS rejected Bhagat’s appeal and affirmed the March 1, 2024 decision of CAS Anti-Doping Division,” the statement said. His suspension is now effective.” This suspension will remain in effect till September 1, 2025.
Bihar-born Bhagat had equaled China’s Lin Dan by winning his fifth World Championship title in February last year. Indian para badminton head coach Gaurav Khanna said, “It is very sad and unfortunate.” He was a medal hope in the Paralympics but he is a warrior and I am sure he will come back stronger.
