New Delhi : Indian athletics faced a shock this week as rising star Summy Kaliraman, a bronze medalist in the 2021 World U20 Championships relay, was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for the banned substance Clomifene. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)’s disciplinary panel officially confirmed the sanction, which begins from October 14, 2024, following a prior provisional suspension.
Kaliraman’s positive test marks a dramatic setback for the 400m specialist, whose quick rise had fueled hopes for India’s future relay medal chances. With a silver at the 2024 Federation Cup and a personal best of 53.18 seconds, her record made the news all the more surprising. Experts say that the use of Clomifene, usually associated with hormone therapy, violates strict athletic regulations, resulting in automatic suspension.
The panel’s decision comes at a time when several Indian athletes are under scrutiny for doping infractions, including boxers, wrestlers, and kabaddi players. NADA’s increased vigilance aims to maintain integrity in Indian sport, but the loss of promising young talent like Kaliraman has left fans and officials dismayed.
Kaliraman will be eligible to return as the country prepares for the 2026 season, but her absence is expected to cast a long shadow on the relay circuit. The ban highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing athlete health, performance, and fair play at the highest levels of competition.
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