Indian runners Pradhan Kirulkar, Vivek More banned for doping during Pune Half Marathon

Indian long-distance runners Pradhan Kirulkar and Vivek More have been banned for three and five years respectively by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after they tested positive for prohibited substances.

Both athletes’ positive results were from in-competition tests conducted during the Pune Half Marathon on December 15, 2024, adding to a recent surge in doping cases involving Indian athletes.

Kirulkar’s urine sample collected during the Pune Half Marathon in December last year, which he had won with a time of 1:04:22, was found to contain Meldonium when tested at the National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi.

His ban period was to be four years but it was reduced by one year following his early admission of the doping offence.

ALSO READ: Two Indian track and field athletes handed 4-year-ban by ADDP of NADA

His ban period has already started from February 19 and his results from December 15, 2024 — the date of sample collection — onwards will be disqualified.

The 24-year-old More’s sample was also collected at the same event in December last year and it returned positive for Mephentermine, Meldonium and dEPO.

More was to be suspended for six years for testing positive for multiple prohibited substances but he was given a one-year reduction in the ban period due to his early admission of the offence and acceptance of the sanction.

His ban period began Friday and his results from December 15, 2024, onwards were disqualified.