Pramod Bhagat Suspended for 18 Months, Misses Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

New Delhi, India – Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion para-shuttler Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for 18 months due to anti-doping violations. This suspension means he will miss the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Reason for Suspension

Pramod Bhagat explained that the suspension was due to three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, which he attributed to a ‘technical glitch’ rather than intentional wrongdoing. Despite appealing the decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the suspension.

Pramod’s Statement

Pramod expressed his sadness over the decision, stating, ‘I am deeply saddened by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to suspend me from participating in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. I want to clarify that the suspension is due to three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, especially the last one being a result of a technical glitch rather than any intentional wrongdoing.’

He added, ‘My team and I have been proactive in appealing this decision, citing the technical issues that led to these failures. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we have not been able to resolve this matter before the upcoming games. We respect WADA, CAS and will abide by it, but this has been a challenging and emotional time for me as an athlete who has always competed with integrity.’

Support and Gratitude

Pramod thanked his fans, family, and the badminton community for their support, saying, ‘Your belief in me is a source of strength, and I am hopeful that justice will prevail.’

Recent Achievements

Despite the suspension, Pramod had a successful run in the Para World Championships 2024, winning a gold and two bronze medals. The Indian contingent overall bagged 18 medals, including three gold, four silver, and 11 bronze medals.

BWF’s Statement

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed Pramod’s suspension, stating, ‘The Badminton World Federation (BWF) can confirm India’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been suspended for a period of 18 months and will miss the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.’

The BWF added that Pramod was found in breach of the anti-doping regulations and that his appeal to the CAS was dismissed. ‘On 29 July 2024, the CAS Appeals Division dismissed Bhagat’s appeal and confirmed the CAS Anti-Doping Division decision of 1 March 2024. His period of ineligibility is now in effect,’ the statement concluded.

Performance at Asian Para Games 2023

At the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, Pramod Bhagat won three medals in para-badminton, including a gold in the men’s singles SL3 event, and bronze medals in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4 and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 events.