As it was reported in June 2025, Indian middle-distance runner Twinkle Chaudhary was, at the time, suspended for testing positive for the metabolites of the banned performance-enhancing drug methyltestosterone in May. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Monday that the now 30-year-old has been served with a four-year ban dating back to June 2025.
Chaudhary’s initial response was one of denial, and she claimed that her urine sample must have been tampered with.
Her in-competition test sample from the Asian Games in Gumi, Japan went to the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited lab in Seoul, South Korea.
Any amount of the steroid methyltestosterone found in a sample is illegal. Chaudhary maintained her innocence and requested a video meeting to explain herself. She continued to maintain that her sample must have been tampered with. Additionally, she argued that she was tested during the heats, which is unusual and that none of her competitors were tested.
The AIU argued that due to her rapid performance improvement, she was targeted for testing.
Chaudhary could not afford the B sample to be tested, nor a DNA test and the AIU was unwilling to test her DNA upon her request.
The only question remaining at this time is the inequity of financial power. It appears that athletes from third-world countries dope to make money. However, they cannot afford to argue their case beyond an initial explanation. The burden of proof remains with the athlete and is financially out of reach in some cases.
On the other hand, India has the most athletes who have been suspended due to doping-related offences. Meanwhile, Kenya has the most specifically in the sport of athletics.
Chaudhary has an 800 metre best of 2:00.71 set in April 2025. Her previous best set in 2022 was 2:02.98. She had run seasonal bests mostly from 2:03.67 to 2:10.57 over the prior four years. The 2:00.71 was a red-flag performance.
Methyltestosterone
Methyltestosterone is a synthetic, oral anabolic-androgen steroid used to treat testosterone deficiencies in men (hypogonadism) and delayed puberty in boys. It acts as a testosterone substitute to develop muscles, bones, and sexual characteristics. It is also used to treat advanced breast cancer in women.
