17-Year-Old Indian Swimmer Handed 18 Months Ban For Failing Doping Test, Set To Miss Asian Games

Last Updated:September 09, 2026, 11:35 PM IST

The 17-year-old had qualified for two events at the Asian Games and was part of the short list for the continental event.

17-year-old Indian swimmer handed 18-month doping ban, will miss Asian Games 2026. (Picture Credit: AFP)

An Indian swimmer, who had qualified for the Asian Games, was on Wednesday suspended for 18 months after failing a dope test and will miss the continental event in Aichi-Nagoya this month.

The 17-year-old had qualified for two events at the Asian Games and was part of the short list for the continental event.

However, he has been suspended for 18 months after his sample showed the presence of terbutaline, a beta-2 agonist banned under anti-doping rules.

The teenager received an adverse analytical finding (AAF) in February following which his name was dropped from the list of participants for the Asian Games.

His hearing was held last week and he was handed an 18-month suspension on Wednesday morning.

“The swimmer had received the violation earlier this year. However, the hearing did not take place till last week and he was handed an 18-month suspension today morning,” a source in the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) told PTI.

The SFI had requested that the hearing be expedited so that the swimmer could take part in the Asian Games, provided he was given a clean chit by The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

The swimmer’s twin brother is part of the Indian Asian Games team.

The Asian Games are scheduled to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Why was the 17-year-old Indian swimmer banned from the Asian Games?

The 17-year-old Indian swimmer was banned for 18 months after failing a dope test, with his sample showing the presence of terbutaline, a banned beta-2 agonist under anti-doping rules. This adverse analytical finding in February led to his suspension, causing him to miss the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

What substance led to the Indian swimmer’s 18-month ban?

The Indian swimmer’s 18-month ban resulted from his sample testing positive for terbutaline, which is classified as a beta-2 agonist and is prohibited under anti-doping regulations.

When are the Asian Games scheduled to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan?

The Asian Games are scheduled to commence on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

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Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More

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