Nikita Raut, an international long-distance runner from Nagpur, recently received a three-year doping suspension from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA The International Association of Athletics Federations of World Athletics’ Integrity Unit (AIU) has been notified by NADA of the city athlete’s suspension.
AIU has listed the names of Nikita and the other 11 athletes who have been banned on its website. The three-year ban’s counting period runs from May 2, 2022, to July 10, 2025. When Nikita competed for Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) last year, she won the gold medal in the 5,000 meters event at the Khelo India University Games in Bengaluru. NADA had taken a urine sample from her at that time, and anabolic steroids (19 nor testosterone) were discovered in her blood.
Over the past 30 years, the IAAF has included the steroid, which is used to increase muscle strength, on its list of prohibited substances. As a result of Nikita’s three-year suspension, all of her accomplishments after May 2, 2022, including the gold medal she won at the Khelo India University Games, would be invalidated, and she will be required to return the medals and certificates.