Paris Paralympics 2024: Big blow to India's medal hopes in Paralympics, Pramod Bhagat banned for 18 months

Sports Desk, New Delhi. India’s difficulties have increased before the Paris Paralympics 2024. Pramod Bhagat will not be able to participate in Paris Paralympics 2024. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has found him guilty of violating anti-doping rules. In such a situation, he has been banned for 18 months.

BWF informed about the ban of Pramod Bhagat on Tuesday. On 1 March, the anti-doping division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found the badminton player guilty of a violation of BWF anti-doping rules for not reporting her whereabouts three times within 12 months.

Bhagat is an SL3 athlete. He appealed to the CAS Appeal Division, but his appeal was rejected on July 29, 2024. The CAS Appeals Division confirmed its decision on 1 March. The Olympics ended on 11 August. Now Paralympics will be organized for 11 days from 28th August to 8th September.

Pramod Bhagat had created history by winning the gold medal in the Men’s Single SL3 category in Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

This was the first time that an Indian had won a gold medal in badminton in the Paralympics.

He defeated second seed Daniel Bethel of Great Britain 21-14, 21-17 in the final.

Let us tell you that Bhagat, born in 1988, was infected with polio at the age of five.

Even after this, at the age of 13, he decided to play badminton and became a professional player.

India had won a total of 19 medals in the Tokyo Paralympics. These included 5 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals.