Indian long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been issued a notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after the banned substance clomiphene was found in his sample, casting doubt over his participation in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.
Pal, selected for the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, tested positive for the substance, commonly used as a female fertility drug. The reported concentration was below 2 ng/mL, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s minimum reporting level.
Asian Games-bound Indian runner Abhishek Pal faces doping notice after female fertility drug detected
The athlete has already responded to NADA and intends to contest the finding. The 29-year-old, a 2023 Asian Championships 10,000m bronze medallist and recent national inter-state champion, is currently training in Colorado Springs, USA. A source told PTI:
"A banned substance has been found in a very small amount in his dope sample and he has been served a notice by the NADA.”
Pal has not been provisionally suspended, but his place in India’s athletics squad remains under threat with the Games due to begin on 19 September. Clomiphene is classified as a specified substance under the WADA code.
If the case is not resolved in Pal’s favour, he faces a potential multi-year ban. The development marks another doping setback for Indian distance running, following previous cases involving athletes who trained under the same overseas coach. It remains to be seen what the future holds for him.
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