Herbal Supplement Use Puts Indian Asian Games Athletes at Risk of Doping Violations

Indian elite athletes preparing for the upcoming Asian Games are facing heightened scrutiny as health experts and anti-doping officials warn that the use of unregulated herbal supplements could trigger Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF). With the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) conducting intensive, targeted testing across national training camps in Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and Patiala, the reliance on traditional substances has become a significant point of concern for the national contingent.

While many athletes view these supplements as essential for performance, the lack of rigorous testing for ingredients in these products creates a substantial risk of inadvertent doping. Experts have highlighted that substances such as kida jadi (Cordyceps sinensis), ashwagandha, shilajit, and various bhasmas are commonly consumed by sprinters, throwers, and middle-distance runners, often without disclosure to medical staff or anti-doping authorities.

Experts familiar with the national training camps have identified a widespread reliance on herbal products, noting that many athletes invest significant personal savings into these regimens. Kida jadi, a fungus sourced from the Himalayas, is particularly popular despite its high cost, which can reach up to Rs 20 lakh per kilogram. Because these products are frequently purchased from e-commerce platforms without third-party verification, they may contain prohibited substances that do not appear on the label.

Nutritionist Mihira Khopkar, who served as the Indian contingent’s nutritionist at the Paris Olympics, emphasized the necessity of caution in elite sports. “In elite sport, it is almost non-negotiable that high-performing athletes choose supplements that are not only evidence-based but also third-party tested,” she stated. The concern is that while these metabolites might not have triggered positive results in domestic National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) tests, the more advanced testing protocols employed by the AIU could detect trace amounts of banned substances, leading to career-threatening sanctions.

The current wave of testing represents an unprecedented level of oversight for Indian athletes ahead of a major multi-sport event. Coaches and officials noted that the AIU has moved beyond standard procedures to conduct large-scale, random testing of the entire Asian Games squad. This shift in strategy follows a period of significant concern regarding the integrity of the domestic anti-doping framework, which has struggled to keep pace with international standards.

Data from July 2026 placed India at the top of the AIU’s list of doping offenders with 162 recorded cases, surpassing both Kenya and Russia. This high volume of violations prompted the AIU to reclassify the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) from Category B to Category A. AIU Chair David Howman has been vocal about the discrepancy, stating, “Unfortunately, the quality of the domestic anti-doping programme is simply not proportionate to the doping risk.”

Monitoring the supplement intake of athletes remains a complex logistical challenge for the AFI and support staff. Unlike athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), who are strictly bound by the whereabouts clause and face severe penalties for missing tests, many athletes training at regional centers operate with less oversight. Previous attempts by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to conduct testing at training sites, such as those in Potchefstroom, South Africa, were hampered by the unavailability of athletes, highlighting gaps in the current monitoring system.

the culture of non-disclosure complicates efforts to mitigate risk. Athletes often fail to declare the full list of supplements they consume, leaving medical teams unable to provide adequate guidance or warnings about potential contamination. As the Asian Games approach, the pressure on the federation to implement more robust screening and education programs has intensified, with the threat of AAFs looming over the nation’s medal hopefuls.

The immediate future for Indian athletics depends on the ability of the federation to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern anti-doping requirements. The current situation serves as a stark warning that the use of even seemingly benign herbal products can lead to catastrophic consequences for an athlete’s career. The focus is now shifting toward mandatory education and the implementation of stricter protocols for supplement usage within national camps.

Unresolved questions remain regarding how the AFI will address the systemic issues identified by the AIU. While the increased testing is intended to protect the integrity of the sport, it also places immense psychological and professional pressure on athletes who may be unaware of the risks associated with their current supplement regimens. Upcoming milestones will likely include a comprehensive review of the national anti-doping policy and a potential overhaul of how supplements are sourced and approved for elite athletes.