NADA Bans Ankit and Jayesh Patil for Three Years After Meldonium Positives

Overview

• NADA issued three-year suspensions to Ankit and Jayesh Patil after positive tests for the banned drug meldonium, with the sanctions taking effect in late February.
• Both runners accepted the anti-doping violations, which reduced their ineligibility by one year under the rules for early admission.
• The bans keep Ankit of the Services Sports Control Board and Railways athlete Jayesh Patil out of competition until 2029.
• The positives followed the 69th National Cross Country Championships, where Ankit placed third and Patil finished fifth.
• Meldonium is prohibited by WADA because it can boost oxygen delivery and recovery, and it drew global attention in 2016 for a surge in cases.