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Neeraj Chopra urges Indian athletes to focus on hard work and proper guidance, warning that doping damages long-term careers.
NEW DELHI: India recorded the highest number of doping cases in the world in 2022, with 125 athletes testing positive out of 3,865 samples. This makes India the only country with over 100 positive results, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The shocking statistic has raised alarms about the integrity of sports in the country and the future of its athletes. While doping cases are a concern globally, India’s numbers are particularly troubling, signaling a deeper issue within the sporting community.
Neeraj Chopra, India’s celebrated two-time Olympic medalist, has voiced his concerns about this rising trend. Known for his discipline and commitment to training, Chopra expressed deep disappointment over the increasing number of doping cases among Indian athletes. He urged athletes to focus on hard work, self-belief, and the right kind of support, rather than resorting to short-term solutions like performance-enhancing drugs. Chopra’s message is clear: success in sports doesn’t come from shortcuts, but from dedication and proper training.
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Chopra emphasized that doping not only harms an athlete’s reputation but also affects their long-term career. “Once doping is in the mind, it gets hard in the future. They are unable to play at that level,” he said, explaining that athletes who use banned substances often struggle to perform consistently. While doping might offer short-term gains, it ultimately prevents athletes from reaching their true potential and sustaining their success.
The Olympic gold medalist also highlighted the role of coaches in shaping an athlete’s career. Chopra believes that proper guidance is essential for any athlete to grow and succeed. “It is their hard work and self-belief, proper guidance from the coach will take you forward,” he added. Coaches play a crucial role in not just training athletes but also instilling the right values—teaching them that success comes from discipline, nutrition, rest, and consistent effort, not from taking shortcuts.
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The growing number of doping cases in India raises important questions about the country’s sports culture and how athletes are trained. It suggests a need for systemic changes, not just in anti-doping regulations, but in the mindset of athletes, coaches, and sports officials. Chopra firmly believes that if India can address these issues, sports in the country will thrive. “If we fix it, sports will grow,” he said, emphasizing that fair play, hard work, and ethical practices are essential for India to succeed on the global stage.
As the nation grapples with the challenge of curbing doping, Chopra’s words serve as a timely reminder. The path to success in sports is not through cheating but through honesty, hard work, and self-belief. The sporting community in India must come together to eliminate doping and create an environment where athletes can compete fairly and achieve greatness. Only then will Indian sports be able to reach new heights.
