After days of uncertainty, the Indian race walking contingent is finally on its way to Brazil for the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships on April 12. The team had been held up due to visa delays, with 12 athletes waiting as travel timelines slipped.

The delay stemmed from late and incomplete visa applications. The Brazil Embassy in India clarified that the applications were submitted only on April 8 and lacked required documents. “We have requested the missing documents and will proceed as soon as they are received,” the embassy said.

The squad had been finalised earlier this year after the selection trials at the 13th Indian Open Race-Walking Competition in Chandigarh. Passports were reportedly submitted on March 21, with an initial departure planned for April 4 following a high-altitude training block in Ooty. That schedule, however, was disrupted due to the visa issues.

With the situation now resolved, the team has departed, bringing relief ahead of a key international event.

Men’s Team
Marathon: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar
Half Marathon: Sahil, Servin Sebastian, Hardeep, Akshdeep Singh

Women’s Team
Marathon: Manju Rani, Priyanka Goswami, Payal
Half Marathon: Ravina, Munita Prajapati, Mansi Negi

India will now look to regroup quickly and focus on performance on the global stage.

As per the latest Road to World Relays rankings, India’s 4x100m mixed relay team has dropped out of the qualification zone.

India had clocked 42.30s, breaking the national record at the Open Relays, initially placing them 19th in the standings.

However, six teams have since gone faster — Nigeria (41.44), Kenya (41.70), Poland (41.62), Ukraine (42.19), New Zealand (41.30), and USA (40.84). As a result, India has now been pushed to 25th, just outside the top 24 required for qualification.

Current status:

• Men’s 4x400m looks set to qualify

• Mixed 4x400m and Women’s 4x100m remain inside the qualification zone, currently ranked 22nd and 23rd, respectively The final list is expected to be published tonight by World Athletics.

The Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha has been postponed from May 8 to June 19 due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.

Organisers confirmed the decision was made considering the safety of athletes and spectators. The event will now be held at Khalifa International Stadium instead of the Qatar Sports Club, with the venue change also influenced by weather conditions in June.

With Doha no longer opening the season, the 2026 Diamond League will now begin in Shanghai/Keqiao on May 16.

The rescheduled Doha meet will take place later in the calendar as the eighth stop, positioned between the Oslo and Paris legs.

While the event remains part of the circuit, the change impacts early-season planning for athletes competing across the international calendar.

The global track and field circuit is expanding its footprint, and three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas is leading the charge. Thomas has officially confirmed her participation in the upcoming Addis Ababa Grand Prix, a milestone fixture on the World Athletics Continental Tour.

The move is being hailed as historic: it marks the first time a World Athletics Continental Tour event of this calibre will be hosted in Ethiopia, a nation synonymous with distance-running royalty but now eager to showcase its capacity for elite sprinting. By bringing a superstar of Thomas’s magnitude to the altitude of Addis Ababa, the tour is signalling a serious commitment to diversifying the sport’s geography.

For Thomas, the meet offers more than just a points haul. It is a rare opportunity to compete in the heart of East Africa, providing a high-octane platform to engage with a legendary sporting culture while testing her top-end speed in a completely new environment. As the Continental Tour breaks new ground, all eyes will be on the 200m queen to see if she can set a burning pace at 7,700 feet.

World Athletics is preparing to redraw the distance-running calendar, with Athens set to host the first standalone World Marathon Championships in 2030.

The governing body confirmed it is in discussions with the Greek capital—widely regarded as the birthplace of the marathon—to stage the inaugural edition of a new event that will break away from the traditional World Championships structure.

Under the proposed format, the marathon will remain part of the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029, but from 2030 onward it will exist as a separate global showpiece. From 2031, it will no longer feature at the main championships.

The new competition is expected to follow an annual cycle, with men’s and women’s races held in alternate years—mirroring the current championship rhythm.

For World Athletics, the move signals a broader push to elevate road running as a standalone product, rather than a supporting act within track and field’s biggest stage.

1. Detection of Doping Violation (Initial Stage)

The process begins under Results Management (WADA framework):
• Athlete sample collected (urine/blood)
• Tested in a WADA-accredited lab
• If an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) → violation suspected

The athlete is formally notified by NADA:
• Right to request B-sample analysis
• Right to explanation (Therapeutic Use Exemption – TUE)
• Right to legal representation

2. Provisional Suspension (Optional but Common)

• In serious cases (e.g., steroids), provisional suspension is imposed immediately
• Athlete can challenge the suspension

3. Results Management & Charge Notification

NADA formally asserts an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) such as:
• Presence of a banned substance
• Refusal to test
• Whereabouts failure

The athlete receives:
• Notice of charge
• Proposed consequences (ban, disqualification, etc.)

4. Hearing Before Disciplinary Panel (ADDP)

Case goes to:
Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP)

• Independent judicial body
• Conducts hearings if the athlete does not waive rights
• Reviews:
o Lab evidence
o Athlete’s defense
o Intent, negligence, contamination claims

Panel issues the first decision (sanction)

Possible Outcomes:
• No violation
• Warning / reprimand
• Ban (2–4 years or more)
• Disqualification of results

5. First Appeal: Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP)

If dissatisfied, the athlete (or NADA/WADA) can appeal to:
Anti-Doping Appeal Panel (ADAP)

Timeline:
• Appeal must be filed within 21 days of the ADDP decision

What ADAP Does:
• Re-examines:
o Evidence
o Legal arguments
o Sanction proportionality

• Can:
o Uphold decision
o Reduce/increase sanction
o Overturn decision

This is the final national-level appeal

6. International Appeal: Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

After ADAP, the final appeal lies with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

Who can appeal?
• Athlete
• NADA
• International Federation
• WADA
• IOC / IPC

Special Cases:
• International-level athletes can sometimes:
o Appeal directly to CAS (bypassing ADAP)

7. CAS Proceedings (Final Stage)

• Independent global tribunal (Lausanne, Switzerland)
• Reviews:
o Procedural fairness
o Evidence integrity
o Application of the WADA Code

Outcomes:
• Uphold ban
• Reduce sanction
• Overturn decision
• Increase penalty (if appealed by WADA/IF)

Example: CAS can overturn NADA Appeal Panel decisions (as seen in multiple Indian cases)

Example of Decision Overturned

1) Inderjeet Singh (Shot Put)

Inderjeet Singh tested positive in 2016.

The shot putter appealed, alleging ‘sabotage’. The arguments were mainly based on procedural lapses in collection, chain of custody, transportation of samples, testing, etc.

• The ADDP rejected all such arguments and handed down a four-year sanction
• He later approached ADAP, claiming supplement contamination

He was cleared by ADAP, which accepted his argument in a landmark ruling on 14 December 2018.

However, in October 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the clean chit given to Inderjeet Singh and upheld a four-year doping ban.

Sequence:

Tested positive in 2016
ADDP imposed a four-year ban
Cleared by ADAP citing contamination
Returned to competition
World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to CAS
CAS overturned the ADAP decision

Recent Case: Ramesh Nagapuri (Coach)

The Anti-Doping Appeal Panel lifted the provisional suspension of Ramesh Nagapuri. The suspension was imposed by NADA on June 18 last year.

As per NADA’s document dated December 2, 2024, doping control officials were deployed at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletics Stadium, Hyderabad, to collect samples from athletes. During the notification process:

• The coach allegedly prevented athletes from signing notification forms
• He instructed athletes to leave the venue, resulting in evasion of testing
• He failed to provide contact details of the athletes under his supervision

One of the athletes involved was Shanmuga Srinivas Nalubothu, the 2024 Indian Open Athletics 200m silver medallist (20.67s), also India’s all-time 7th best time. He was also booked for evasion by NADA.

These actions led authorities to conclude that the coach may have facilitated the evasion of doping control.

Subsequently, NADA initiated proceedings under:
• Article 2.5 – Tampering with doping control
• Article 2.9 – Complicity (assisting or encouraging a violation)

A formal notice was issued on March 17, 2025, and the coach was placed under provisional suspension pending disciplinary proceedings.

PROCEEDINGS

• The coach denied all allegations and challenged the suspension
• His request for revocation was rejected by the ADDP (July 3, 2025)
• He then filed an appeal before the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel

ADAP Proceedings

For Nagapuri’s case, three ADAP members were present:
• Geetanjali Sharma (Chairperson)
• Dr. Rana Chengappa (Medical Member)
• Rani Rampal (Sports Member)

Divergence of Opinion (Split Verdict)

Minority View – Dr. Rana Chengappa
• The coach’s actions—interfering in notification, redirecting athletes, and withholding information—amounted to active assistance in evasion
• Under WADA jurisprudence, such conduct qualifies as complicity (Article 2.9)

The suspension was considered valid and justified

Majority View – Geetanjali Sharma & Rani Rampal
• Athletes are individually responsible for complying with anti-doping rules
• Even if influenced by the coach, the decision to evade testing rests with the athletes
• Anti-doping obligations include a clear duty to cooperate with testing authorities

Thus, the panel found that:
• The coach cannot be solely held accountable at this stage
• The burden of responsibility cannot be shifted entirely away from the athletes

Final Ruling

• The provisional suspension imposed on the coach was revoked until final adjudication
• The matter remains pending before the ADDP for final determination on merits

Kebinatshipi’s 9.91 Changes the Conversation — Not Just the Race There are breakthrough races, and then there are moments that force a rethink.

Collen Kebinatshipi delivered the latter in Gaborone, clocking a stunning 9.91s (0.8) in the 100m semifinals at the Botswana Athletics Championships.

This wasn’t supposed to be his lane. Kebinatshipi is the reigning world 400m champion, a one-lap specialist built on rhythm and endurance.

But here, over half the distance, he looked just as comfortable — and just as dangerous.

The time makes him only the second man from Botswana to break 10 seconds, joining Letsile Tebogo, whose 9.86 still stands as the national benchmark.

That matters, because Tebogo has come to define Botswana’s sprinting rise.

Now, he may have company. What stands out isn’t just the number, but the implication.

Versatility at this level is rare. And if Kebinatshipi can carry this speed back to the 400m, the rest of the world has a problem.

April may not be peak marathon season in India, but the calendar remains active with a mix of full marathons, trail races and major road events. Here’s a clean look at key races to track this month, along with what it takes to get on the start line.

• Kaveri Trail Marathon (Coorg | April 11–12)
  Distances: 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K
  A scenic but demanding trail race along the Cauvery river. Open registration, but the full marathon is best suited for experienced runners due to terrain and humidity. No strict time qualification required.
• Varanasi Marathon (Varanasi | April 12)
  Distances: 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K, 5K
  A traditional road race with broad participation. Open to all, though full marathon runners are typically expected to have prior long-distance experience.
• Bhubaneswar City Marathon (Bhubaneswar | April 12)
  Distances: 42.2K, 21.1K, 10K
  One of the more structured city marathons in eastern India. Entry is open; some categories may recommend timing certificates for competitive slots.
• Tawang Marathon (Arunachal Pradesh | April 5)
  Distances: Marathon, Half Marathon
  High-altitude race with limited field size. No formal qualification standards, but runners should be prepared for altitude and cold conditions.
• Kutch Desert Trail Run (Kutch | April 4–5)
  Distances: 10K to 50K ultra
  A niche endurance event across desert terrain. Open entry, but longer distances are geared toward experienced ultra runners.
• TCS World 10K Bengaluru (Bengaluru | April 26)
  Distances: 10K
  A World Athletics Gold Label race. Amateur categories are open, but faster runners may need to submit timing proof for seeded entries.

April’s schedule leans toward accessibility, but conditions — heat, terrain, altitude — make preparation the real qualifier.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone represents more than just another global event on the calendar. For the first time, the competition will be held in Africa — a region that has consistently produced world-class sprinters but rarely hosted a meet of this scale.

Scheduled for May 2–3 at the Botswana National Stadium, the event will bring together top relay teams across six disciplines, including men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, along with mixed relays.

What sets this meet apart is its structure. Unlike traditional championships, qualification pathways and race outcomes carry direct consequences beyond medals.

The top eight teams from the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo have already secured automatic entry. These teams arrive with established combinations and proven championship experience, often shaping how races unfold.

The remaining slots are determined through world rankings accumulated between January 2025 and April 2026. This system rewards consistent performances across competitions, placing emphasis on regular racing and stable team combinations. For developing relay nations, this has required a focus on depth and execution under different conditions.

The stakes increase further with qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. The top 12 teams in each event at Gaborone will secure their spots, making early rounds highly competitive. Progression is not just about reaching finals, but about finishing within the required positions as early as possible.

In the mixed relays, the top six teams will also qualify for the 2026 Ultimate Championship, adding another layer of competition where margins are expected to be minimal.

Teams that fail to qualify in the first round will get another opportunity through repechage races. This format extends the competition but also demands strong recovery, squad rotation, and mental focus within a short timeframe.

The structure places significant importance on execution. Relay events have always depended on precision, and under this format, even small errors — particularly in baton exchanges — can directly impact qualification outcomes.

For India, the meet represents a clear opportunity. Recent performances have shown progress, but Gaborone offers a chance to convert that into qualification for future global events.

In a system built on both speed and consistency, the challenge will be to deliver when it matters most.