Pramod Bhagat Suspended: Indian Para Shuttler to Miss Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Indian para shuttler Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months for breaching anti-doping regulations and will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Bhagat's appeal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

Indian para shuttler Pramod Bhagat will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games following an 18-month suspension for breaching the Badminton World Federation (BWF) anti-doping regulations. Bhagat had an outstanding performance in the Para World Championships 2024, securing a gold and two bronze medals. The Indian team overall clinched 18 medals in total, including three golds, four silvers, and 11 bronzes.

The BWF confirmed in a statement that Pramod Bhagat, India's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion, is suspended and will not compete in the upcoming Paris Paralympics. "The Badminton World Federation (BWF) can confirm India's Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for a period of 18 months and will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games," the statement read.

The federation revealed that Bhagat violated their anti-doping regulations, leading to his suspension. Bhagat contested the decision at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS). "On 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. Bhagat, an SL3 athlete, appealed this decision to the CAS Appeals Division," BWF explained.

The CAS upheld the decision, confirming Bhagat's ineligibility period. "On 29 July 2024, the CAS Appeals Division dismissed Bhagat's appeal and confirmed the CAS Anti-Doping Division decision of 1 March 2024. His period of ineligibility is now in effect," BWF concluded.

Despite this setback, Bhagat's recent performance in the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou was notable, earning three medals, including a gold in para-badminton. He successfully defended his title in the para-badminton men's singles SL3 event and also secured bronze in the men's doubles SL3-SL4 and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 events.

(With inputs from agencies.)