Pune Half Marathon Winner Pradhan Kirulakar Fails Dope Test, Provisionally Suspended By Athletics Integrity Unit

Last year's Pune Half Marathon race title winner Pradhan Vilas Kirulakar has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after failing a dope test.

Kirulakar, who had won the Pune Marathon in December 2024 with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes and 22 seconds, tested positive for performance-enhancing drug meldonium.

"A notice of allegation has been issued after his dope sample showed the "presence/use of a prohibited substance (meldonium) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2)," the AIU said.

The AIU is the independent agency of the World Athletics which manages all aspects of the anti-doping programme for international level athletes.

The use of meldonium came to light after tennis star Maria Sharapova tested positive for it and got suspended in 2016.

Meldonium is prescribed by physicians to help protect heart tissue by regulating metabolism. It has also been used by neurological clinics to treat patients who have asthenia -- an abnormal lack of energy.