Sports
Drug Scandals Threaten India’s 2036 Olympic Dream
India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is under growing threat as the country battles widespread doping scandals that have cast a shadow over its sporting reputation.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has repeatedly raised concerns about the high number of Indian athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs, a problem acknowledged even by the country’s top star.
“Doping is a big problem in India among our athletes,” Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra admitted earlier this year, urging competitors to “eat well, rest well and work hard” instead of relying on banned substances.
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In response to international scrutiny, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently formed a new anti-doping panel, while the government has introduced a national anti-doping bill to tighten enforcement, expand testing, and “ensure the highest standards of integrity” in sport.
Michael Payne, former IOC marketing director, told AFP that while many past Olympic hosts also had doping issues, India must convince the IOC it has strong policies in place.
“The bigger issue is confidence in the overall operational delivery capabilities of the host, and there India has a lot of work to do,” he warned, referencing the corruption-marred 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), India remains one of the world’s worst offenders among nations conducting more than 1,000 tests.
From 5,606 samples collected in 2023, 213 returned positive, with stanozolol, a synthetic steroid, being the most common banned drug.
Athletics and wrestling account for the majority of violations. In July, under-23 wrestling champion and Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda tested positive and was provisionally suspended.
Experts say many athletes turn to doping in hopes of escaping poverty, since sporting success in India can lead to government jobs with the police or armed forces, offering lifelong financial security.
“Athletes know that they can be punished but still put their careers at stake,” lawyer Saurabh Mishra, who has defended athletes in doping cases, said. “Getting a medal will help them clinch a government job.”
Sports medicine specialist Saranjeet Singh added that while some violations stem from ignorance, others result from calculated risks or even coaching influence.
“They cannot achieve the level of performance that they want at international level and use banned drugs for a short cut,” he said.
With countries like Indonesia, Turkey, Chile, and Qatar also vying for the 2036 Games, India faces an uphill battle to clean up its image.
Beyond doping, analysts argue the real challenge lies in proving its ability to deliver a corruption-free, smoothly run Olympics.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.
The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.
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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”
He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.
“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.
He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”
The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.
The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.
The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.
The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.
The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.
After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.
The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.
He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.
In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”
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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.
The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.
Musa Francis James and Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo emerged as the men’s and women’s winners respectively at the fifth edition of the Abeokuta 10km Race in Ogun State on Saturday.
Francis James led the men’s field from the finish, completing the 10km race in 30:25.33 to claim the $1,000 first prize.
Ilya Raymond finished second in 30:38.06 to collect $750, while Gyang Sunday completed the men’s podium in 30:47.00 and received $500.
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The women’s race followed a similar pattern, with Akanbi Aderonke Olufunmilayo taking the top position after finishing in 35:00.69 to win $1,000.
Bulus Mary Jah came second in 35:58.71 and received $750, while Nwantiyi Teyei Davou finished third in 36:03.09 to take home $500.
The results reflected the competitive nature of the race, which brought together athletes, fitness enthusiasts and members of the public for the fifth staging of the event in Abeokuta.
For the winners, the achievement was also a reward for their preparation and an opportunity to compete on a platform that continues to attract athletes to the city.
Francis James said he was pleased to see his preparation pay off after crossing the finish line first, while also acknowledging the platform provided by the organisers.
“I’m very happy with the victory,” James said.
“It feels good to see all the hard work and preparation pay off. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together such a good race and giving athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves.”
Raymond, who finished second, said he was pleased with his performance and excited to have secured a place among the leading athletes.
“I’m glad and excited to have been a winner. It feels really good to see all the effort and preparation pay off.”
”I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete here, and I want to appreciate the organisers for putting together a race that gives athletes like us the platform to compete and challenge ourselves,” he said.
Gyang, who completed the men’s podium, said he was delighted to finish among the top three and expressed hope that the initiative would continue to grow.
“I’m just happy to be one of the people to grace the podium. It is a good feeling to finish among the top athletes, especially in a race like this. I appreciate the organisers for giving us the opportunity to compete, and I hope this initiative continues to grow and attract even more athletes in the years ahead,” he said.
In the women’s category, Akanbi said the victory was particularly satisfying after the work that went into her preparation.
She also praised the organisers for creating an opportunity for athletes to compete.
“I am very happy to have won the women’s race. It was not easy, but I am glad that all the hard work paid off. I commend the organisers for creating this opportunity and for the effort they put into making the race a success. I hope the Abeokuta 10km Race continues to grow and gives more athletes the chance to compete at this level,” she said.
The race was organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited and attracted sports enthusiasts, dignitaries and residents from different parts of Abeokuta.
Managing director Yetunde Olopade said the organisers were pleased with the outcome and praised the athletes and participants for their commitment throughout the event.
She also thanked the Ogun State Government, sponsors and partners, including Phlo, Bet9ja Foundation, 7UP and Aquafina, for supporting the race.
“We are delighted with the outcome of this year’s Abeokuta 10km Race. The quality, organisation and enthusiasm shown by the participants have once again demonstrated what can be achieved when everyone comes together.
“We appreciate the Ogun State Government, our sponsors, partners and everyone who contributed to making this race a colourful and successful event. Nilayo Sports Management Limited will continue to uphold the class and quality that the company is known for,” Olopade said.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, also used the event to highlight the wider opportunities being created for athletes as sporting events continue to grow across Nigeria.
He particularly pointed to the equal prize money for the men’s and women’s winners, saying such measures could help promote equality in sport.
“I have always been a fan of equality. When you look at what Nilayo has done here, giving the same prize money to the men and women, it is something we should encourage,” he said.
“The Nigerian sporting ecosystem is getting bigger, and with events like this, we are creating more avenues for our sportsmen and women to thrive, compete and earn a living from sport.”
Also speaking after the race, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, praised Nilayo Sports Management Limited for staging another road race and commended Abeokuta residents for their support.
Dare said the event demonstrated the potential for Nigeria to host high-quality sporting competitions while encouraging participation in sports and healthy living.
“Nilayo has once again demonstrated that we can organise world-class sporting events in Nigeria. This is a top-class event, and the turnout of the people of Abeokuta shows the passion Nigerians have for sports and healthy living,” he said.
The race also provided an opportunity for residents to participate in fitness activities while highlighting Abeokuta’s potential as a destination for road racing and other sporting events.
Among the dignitaries present were the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, Tunde Delu; former Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye; and former members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Femi Allen Taylor and Idowu Olowofuja.
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