19-year-old Parvej Khan, who just finished his freshman year at the University of Florida, has been provisionally suspended by India’s National Anti-Doping Agency following a positive test for EPO. The news was first reported by Circle of Sport. The Press Trust of India, the country’s largest news agency, also confirmed the suspension.

Here’s what you need to know:

– Khan’s samples were reportedly collected on June 27th and 28th at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in India. He ran 3:45.93 to win his 1500m heat and then won the final in 3:42.95.

– Khan was an All-American in the mile during the 2024 indoor season with a seventh place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships. In January, he made history as the first Indian man to break four minutes for the mile with a 3:59.20 at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. He finished the indoor season with a 3:55.41 mile personal best.

– He is coming off an outdoor season in which he ran 1:46.12 for 800m and 3:38.76 for 1500m. He won the SEC Outdoor Championships 1500m title and was the first Gator to do so since Todd Sinclair in 1983. Khan also finished third in the SEC Outdoor Championship 800m title. He did not make it out of the heats in the 1500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

– Khan ran 3:36.21 at the Portland Track Festival in a race against professionals.

– Khan did not qualify for the Paris Olympics.

– Khan has wiped all posts from his personal Instagram page.

– As of Friday morning, Khan is still listed as a member of Florida’s cross country roster.

– A University of Florida Athletic Department spokesperson tells CITIUS MAG, “Parvej Khan’s status with the team will be determined once we receive an official statement from WADA.”

India’s Doping Issues

– Last year, India made global headlines after videos surfaced of syringes all over bathrooms at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Only one runner turned up for the start of the 100m at the meet after seven competitors suspiciously avoided anti-doping tests.

At the time, India ranked second behind Russia in anti-doping violations, according to a report by WADA.