Olympian Javelin Thrower Shivpal Singh Lands in Dope Net Again: Faces Possible 8-Year Ban

Olympian javelin thrower Shivpal Singh tests positive for methandienone again. The Tokyo Olympian faces an 8-year ban if found guilty of a second doping offence.

New Delhi, May 20, 2025 – Indian javelin thrower and Tokyo Olympian Shivpal Singh has once again landed in hot water after allegedly testing positive for the banned substance methandienone, a performance-enhancing steroid. This is reportedly his second doping offence, and if proven guilty, the 29-year-old athlete could face an eight-year suspension from athletics.

Provisional Suspension After Positive Dope Test

Sources close to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) have revealed that Shivpal’s sample—collected during an out-of-competition test earlier this year—contained traces of methandienone. Following the detection, Shivpal was provisionally suspended, and was subsequently removed from the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Patiala by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on April 23, 2025.

Shivpal Singh Denies Suspension Claims

However, Shivpal Singh has publicly denied the doping allegations. Speaking to The Tribune, he said,

“It is not true. I am not under any suspension. I am still in Patiala training. I do not know who is spreading such rumours about me.”

When asked about his absence from the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships held in Kochi in April, he cited poor form as the reason, stating,

“What was the use of taking part when I was not throwing well? My idea is to compete when I am consistently touching the 85-metre mark.”

AFI Refutes Shivpal’s Claims

In a contradicting statement, Adille Sumariwalla, the official spokesperson of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), confirmed that Shivpal is neither part of the national camp nor present in Patiala.

“He is not in the camp and not in Patiala. All steps have been taken by the AFI as per protocol.”

Repeat Offender: A Second Strike Could Mean an 8-Year Ban

Shivpal Singh had earlier served a one-year ban in 2021 after testing positive for the same banned substance, methandienone. Originally suspended for four years by NADA on October 21, 2021, his ban was reduced to one year in January 2023 after he successfully proved—through his lawyer Parth Goswami—that the offence resulted from a contaminated supplement. His transparency in naming the supplement during the doping test had then worked in his favor.

Now, with another alleged offence, NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) is likely to take a much stricter view. Under WADA guidelines, a second doping offence can lead to a suspension of up to eight years, depending on the circumstances.

Impact on Indian Athletics

The news comes as a blow to Indian athletics, especially in the lead-up to crucial events like the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With the spotlight firmly on athletes like Neeraj Chopra, any controversy surrounding fellow javelin stars puts added pressure on the system.

While the final decision from NADA is still awaited, the case raises serious concerns about doping awareness and supplement regulation in Indian sports. If found guilty, Shivpal Singh’s career could effectively come to an end—robbing India of a once-promising javelin thrower who had represented the country on the grandest stage at the Tokyo Olympics.