India’s long-distance runner faces a doping investigation just weeks before Aichi-Nagoya 2026, after a banned fertility-related substance was reportedly detected in his sample
India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games have been hit by an unexpected doping controversy, with long-distance runner Abhishek Pal receiving a notice from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
Pal, who has been selected to represent India in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m, has been handed an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) after his sample reportedly contained clomiphene, a substance primarily associated with fertility treatment.
The development comes at a particularly difficult time for Pal. The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, begin on September 19, leaving the athlete with very little time to resolve the matter and secure his place on the starting line.
What exactly happened?
According to reports, Pal’s sample contained a very small quantity of clomiphene. The substance is prohibited under anti-doping regulations and is unusual in the context of an elite male distance runner.
The reported concentration was below 2 nanograms per millilitre, which has raised questions about how the finding should be assessed. Pal has reportedly already responded to NADA and is expected to seek a detailed investigation into how the substance entered his system.
A source close to the athlete indicated that Pal intends to challenge the notice, believing the finding has placed him in an unfair position.
However, it is important to stress that an AAF is not the same as a final doping verdict. NADA’s investigation and the subsequent proceedings will determine whether the case results in a sanction.
No provisional suspension so far
One of the key developments in the case is that NADA has not provisionally suspended Pal at this stage.
That means his participation in the Asian Games has not yet been formally ruled out. Nevertheless, the uncertainty surrounding the case could make his selection increasingly difficult to manage as the Games approach.
Pal is expected to push for an early resolution because any prolonged investigation could directly affect India’s final athletics preparations.
Why is clomiphene significant?
Clomiphene is best known as a fertility-related medication. Its detection in Pal’s sample has therefore attracted considerable attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the case.
Under anti-doping rules, the substance is prohibited because of its potential effects on hormonal pathways. The presence of a banned substance can lead to serious consequences, but the final outcome depends on the circumstances of the case, the athlete’s explanation and the applicable anti-doping process.
The current case is therefore still developing, and it would be inaccurate to label Pal a confirmed doping offender before the proceedings are completed.
Pal had earned his Asian Games place on the track
The doping controversy comes just weeks after Pal produced one of the strongest domestic campaigns of his career.
At the National Inter-State Championships in June, he finished:
10,000m — Gold
5,000m — Silver
Those performances strengthened his case for selection to the Indian Asian Games squad.
Pal also has proven continental-level credentials. He won bronze in the 10,000m at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships, establishing himself as one of India’s notable long-distance runners.
His recent form and international experience had made him an important part of India’s athletics plans for Japan.
The Asian Games clock is already ticking
The timing of the NADA notice makes the situation even more complicated.
Pal is currently training in the United States, while India’s athletics contingent prepares for the Asian Games. With the competition beginning on September 19, every day matters.
An early resolution could give Pal a chance to return his attention to competition. A prolonged case, however, could leave India searching for an alternative in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
For the athlete himself, the immediate battle is no longer against the clock or his competitors. It is against uncertainty.
Abhishek Pal: Key Numbers and Records
Category
Details
Athlete
Abhishek Pal
Discipline
Long-distance running
Asian Games events
5,000m and 10,000m
Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Anti-doping body
NADA
Finding
Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF)
Substance reported
Clomiphene
Reported concentration
Below 2 ng/mL
Current suspension
No provisional suspension reported
2026 Inter-State Championships
10,000m Gold, 5,000m Silver
2023 Asian Athletics Championships
10,000m Bronze
Asian Games start
September 19, 2026
What happens next?
Pal’s immediate priority will be to contest the finding and seek clarification through the NADA process.
The central questions will be whether the substance was deliberately used, how it entered the athlete’s system and how the reported low concentration should be interpreted under the applicable anti-doping rules.
Until that process is completed, Pal’s Asian Games status remains uncertain.
The Bigger Picture
For India, this is more than an individual doping case. Pal had emerged from the national championships as one of the country’s leading distance runners and was preparing for a major continental assignment.
Now, just weeks before the Asian Games, his campaign has been thrown into doubt by a finding that is both unusual and potentially career-defining.
Pal has not been handed a provisional suspension and no final ban has been announced. The next stage of the NADA process will determine whether he gets to turn his strong 2026 season into an Asian Games appearance — or watches the competition from the sidelines.
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