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.

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.

The return of Noah Lyles to Tokyo carries more significance than a standard early-season appearance. It marks a point where the sprint season begins to take clearer shape.

Scheduled to compete in the 100m at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix on May 17, Lyles steps back onto a track where he has already secured major titles, including Olympic success and world-level performances.

What stands out is the timing. This is not a championship race, but it sits at a stage of the season where performances begin to indicate direction rather than peak condition.

The Continental Tour serves as a platform for athletes to test form under competitive conditions. For Lyles, this race offers an opportunity to assess speed and execution without the pressure associated with major finals.

The field is expected to be competitive, as meets in Japan traditionally attract depth early in the season. While the result itself may not define his year, the performance will provide insight into his preparation and progression.

Events like this rarely decide outcomes for the season, but they often reveal patterns. For elite sprinters, even early races can offer indicators of rhythm, readiness, and intent.

The 2026 Indian athletics season is officially underway, with athletes beginning their campaigns across both indoor and outdoor competitions. While some Indian stars chose to open their season indoors, others are gearing up for the outdoor circuit and all eyes now shift to Bengaluru.

In a significant rebranding, the Indian Grand Prix has now evolved into the Indian Athletics Series, with its first meet scheduled for April 4 at the iconic Kanteerava Stadium.

As anticipation builds, here are five major Indian athletes who will headline the season opener:

 

1). Murali Sreeshankar (Men’s Long Jump):

Indian athletics fans have been eagerly waiting for Murali Sreeshankar to open his 2026 season and that moment has finally arrived.

Returning from injury last year, Sreeshankar showed impressive consistency, crossing the 8m mark in three out of six competitions. Notably, only three Indian athletes managed to breach the 8m barrier in 2025 Sreeshankar, Shahnawaz Khan, and C.V. Anurag.

With a packed season ahead featuring the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where he previously clinched silver medals, expectations are high. The qualification marks of 8.05m (CWG) and 7.91m (Asian Games) are well within his reach, making this competition a crucial starting point.

 

2). Ancy Sojan (Women’s Long Jump):

Fresh off a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships, Ancy Sojan is set to begin her outdoor season in Bengaluru.

Her preparations were briefly interrupted by a calf injury, but she now returns to a venue that has historically brought her success. At Kanteerava Stadium, Ancy recorded her personal best of 6.71m in 2024 and also jumped 6.52m at the same venue during IGP-3.

After winning silver at the Asian Championships last year and stepping away from competition post the World University Games, this meet marks an important comeback.

She will face stiff competition from Shaili Singh, India’s second-best long jumper, who will also kick off her 2026 season here.

3). Sarvesh Kushare (Men’s High Jump):


For Sarvesh Kushare, 2026 hasn’t started on the strongest note.

He opened his season with a gold medal at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru but with a modest jump of 2.16m, below his usual standards. This was followed by another underwhelming outing at the National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, where he finished second with 2.15m.

However, Kushare’s pedigree cannot be overlooked. He had a stellar 2025 season, finishing sixth at the World Championships in Tokyo with a personal best of 2.28m. The Bengaluru meet could be the platform he needs to rediscover that form.

 

4). Manikanta Hoblidhar (Men’s 100m):


It’s been a difficult start to 2026 for Manikanta Hoblidhar.

A false start at the Asian Indoor Championships and a hamstring pull during the National Open Relays have disrupted his rhythm. But if there’s one place that could inspire a turnaround, it’s Kanteerava Stadium.

This is where he clocked 10.23s in 2023 and broke Amiya Mallick’s national record of 10.26s at the National Open Athletics Championships.

With form and fitness in question, all eyes will be on whether Bengaluru can once again bring out the best in him.

5). Baranica Elangovan (Women’s Pole Vault):

Known as the “Vault Queen of India,” Baranica Elangovan enters the competition with momentum on her side.

At her last outing, she set a new national record by clearing 4.22m at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, surpassing P. Rosy Meena’s previous mark of 4.21m.

She even attempted 4.25m, narrowly missing out, a sign that there’s more to come.

The big question now: can Baranica push the national record even further in Bengaluru?