There's a word in Indian sports everyone knows, but no one dares to say out loud. Neither athletes nor coaches want to admit it: steroids. It's the hidden shadow behind medals, careers, and dreams.
In 2023, during the 5,000-meter race of the National Open Championships, six athletes bizarrely tried not to win.
Why? Because anti-doping officials had arrived unannounced that morning. The top three finishers would be tested. To avoid being caught, athletes were intentionally slowing down.Absolutely bizarre finish in the men's 5000m race at the National Open Championships. 6 athletes finish in almost military precision within 0.25 seconds of each other as none of them seemingly wants to win (and consequently drug tested) Another 10 athletes didn't even start. pic.twitter.com/ymSXoGA8aL
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) October 13, 2023
Running Alone: A One-Man Race with a Heavy Price
In another shocking incident at the Delhi State Championship, only one runner—Lalit Kumar—showed up for the 100m final. Everyone else backed out due to doping fears. Lalit ran alone, unaware his fate was about to take a drastic turn.
Weeks later, Lalit was banned for four years. His test results showed traces of anabolic steroids. The irony? He insists he never knowingly consumed anything illegal.
A Story of Poverty, Pressure, and Misguided Dreams
Lalit's story starts in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. A modest home, a father with unfulfilled dreams, and the lure of a government job through athletics. With minimal resources, Lalit ran for medals, scholarships, and financial support for his family.
He wasn’t interested in running initially; wrestling or kabaddi drew his attention. But running was cheaper. No expensive gear, no team needed. Just a track, and the will to endure. His father's promise of a smartphone for qualifying at the nationals ignited his journey.
The Cost of Becoming an Athlete in India
Despite winning medals and getting into Delhi University through the sports quota, the reality of professional athletics hit Lalit hard. Training, recovery, and diet demand money. His father quit his security guard job to drive an auto-rickshaw, sending Rs. 6000 monthly to support his son.
This stress weighed heavily. Lalit worried about failing, disappointing his family, and being financially dependent forever. The loneliness of a sports hostel, academic pressure, and competition from better-funded athletes—all crushed him.
When Winning Isn't Enough
On September 26, 2023, Lalit ran alone and qualified for the Nationals. But the joy was short-lived. His drug test came back positive. Lalit didn’t even have the Rs. 20,000 needed for a second (B) sample test.
He spiraled into depression. The whispers began: "He took drugs," "He was hanging with girls," "He changed." But Lalit believed he was framed or unknowingly given banned substances by someone in his circle—a roommate, coach, or someone who gave him water.
The Broken System: Doping Education Starts Too Late
India tops global doping violation charts. Yet, awareness among junior athletes is almost non-existent. Most athletes only learn about banned substances after they're banned.
Workshops by NADA exist, but many coaches lack the credibility or interest to educate athletes. Social media and YouTube channels promoting shortcuts only worsen the crisis.
Coaches, too, are part of the problem. Some have no real experience or medals but run coaching centers like businesses. Others actively push steroids to their athletes to get quick results.
A Culture That Rewards Medals, Not Morality
Poor athletes don’t dream of the Olympics; they dream of government jobs. These jobs offer security for their families. But the path is so competitive and underfunded that they often see doping as a necessary evil.
Lalit, who took multivitamins and antibiotics during dengue recovery, had no clue what could get him banned. There's no centralized awareness system, and the burden of proof lies solely on the athlete.
Finding Redemption: A Comeback in the Making
Today, Lalit works as a PE teacher, earning Rs. 30,000 a month. His goal? Return to athletics in 2027 when his ban ends. He coaches young kids now, determined to prevent them from making the same mistakes.
His students have already won medals. He's proving that discipline and awareness can produce results—without shortcuts.
The Bigger Question: Are We Ready to Change?
Lalit’s story is not unique. It’s a reflection of thousands. We can dream of Olympics in Ahmedabad, but until the roots of Indian athletics are fixed, medals will continue to be tainted.
We need:
Mandatory doping education at district and state levels
Randomized testing at grassroots events
Accountability for coaches and training centers
Financial support for low-income athletes.
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