World Anti-Doping Body Identifies 12 Positive Tests, 97 Whereabout Failures Of 70 Indian Athletes In Report

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has found "clear evidence" that India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) is not managing the whereabout clause of athletes properly, identifying 12 positive tests and 97 whereabouts failures involving 70 athletes during an investigation. WADA's independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department on Tuesday published a report following an investigation into allegations that elements of NADA's testing programme were not in accordance with the WADA Code and the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).

"WADA I&I's long-running investigation, known as 'Operation Carousel', was launched in 2018, and uncovered evidence that NADA did not carry out adequate testing on some athletes in NADA's registered testing pool (RTP) while also failing to put in place appropriate monitoring of athletes' whereabouts information.

"The investigation monitored select sports and athletes within India and, as a result, in cooperation with NADA, 12 positive tests (Adverse Analytical Findings) and 97 whereabouts failures of 70 athletes were identified. These are now subject to results management processes as appropriate," said the WADA report.

WADA noted there was clear evidence NADA was lacking in resources.

"Since 2016, WADA has been working with NADA to improve its anti-doping program, providing various corrective actions to address non-conformities with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards," said WADA I&I director, Gunter Younger.

"In parallel and in response to tips coming through our confidential information platform, 'Speak Up!', WADA I&I launched 'Operation Carousel', which uncovered clear evidence that NADA's lack of resources meant it was not carrying out