Ankit, Jayesh Patil handed three-year doping bans by NADA

Two Indian athletes, Ankit and Jayesh Patil, have been handed three-year bans by the National Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Ankit of Services Sports Control Board and Jayesh Patil of Railways have been handed three-year bans by the National Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Ankit had finished third at the 69th National Cross Country Championships, while Patil had secured fifth place in the event. Both athletes accepted the charges, resulting in a one-year reduction in their period of ineligibility.

The bans came into effect from February 25 for Ankit and February 27 for Patil.

The 20-year-old Patil is also the silver medallist in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2024 Junior National Championships.

Both athletes tested positive for meldonium, which falls under the banned substance list of the World Anti-Doping Agency and commonly linked to endurance enhancement.