17-year-old Indian swimmer banned 18 months for doping

A 17-year-old Indian swimmer has been removed from India’s team for the 2026 Asian Games and suspended for 18 months after failing a doping test. According to the Times of India, the minor (whose name has not been officially released) tested positive for terbutaline, a beta-2 agonist commonly prescribed for asthma, bronchitis, and other lung conditions. The positive test occurred in February 2026. The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) promptly withdrew his name from the Commonwealth Games roster and later from the Asian Games roster. Notably, his twin brother remains on the Asian Games team, and the similarity of their names often leads to confusion in competition results. The swimmer stated he suffered from smoke inhalation and took the medication under a doctor’s supervision but failed to obtain a proper Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). He did list the substance on his doping control form. The standard doping violation ban is four years, which can be reduced to two years if the panel finds no intent to dope, with further reductions for a reasonable explanation of unintentional use. After an expedited hearing last week, SFI had hoped for a dropped case allowing him to compete in Japan, but the final decision imposed an 18-month suspension. India, the world’s most populous country, is not a global sporting powerhouse, having won only six medals (no golds) at the 2026 Olympics. However, it has consistently led the world in anti-doping violations in recent years. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of medication management and TUE compliance in professional sports.