NEW DELHI:

Pramod Bhagat

, the reigning Paralympic champion in

badminton

, has been suspended for 18 months due to violations of the

whereabouts clause

, as reported by PTI. The suspension is effective immediately, resulting in Bhagat missing the upcoming

Paris Paralympics

, a significant loss for India’s medal prospects.
The whereabouts clause is a crucial aspect of

anti-doping regulations

.

It requires athletes to provide detailed information about their locations for out-of-competition testing. Failure to comply with this clause can lead to suspensions, as seen in Bhagat’s case.
“In 1 March 2024, the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) Anti-Doping Division found Bhagat in breach of the BWF anti-doping regulations for committing three whereabouts failures within 12 months,” the Badminton World Federation (BWF) said in a statement.
“Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, appealed this decision to the CAS Appeals Division. On 29 July 2024, the CAS Appeals Division dismissed the Bhagat’s appeal and confirmed the CAS Anti-Doping Division decision of 1 March 2024. His period of ineligibility is now in effect,” the statement added.

Pramod Bhagat has been a cornerstone of Indian para-sports, particularly in para-badminton. He has inspired many with his achievements and dedication to the sport. His career is marked by significant milestones, including a gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 category at the

Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

. This victory underscored India’s strength in para-badminton.
In addition to his Paralympic success, Bhagat has won multiple gold medals at the

World Championships

and

Asian Para Games

. His contributions have been pivotal in establishing India’s prominence in para-badminton globally.