Wrestler Vinesh Phogat has received a notice from the International Testing Agency ITA. The letter relates to a missed out-of-competition doping test on December 18, 2025.
The ITA said it has recorded the incident as a whereabouts failure. The agency also stated this is Vinesh's first such failure in 12 months.
The ITA sent the communication on May 4, 2026, after reviewing Vinesh's reply. Vinesh had submitted an explanation on January 19, 2026. The agency said it had earlier raised the issue in a January 5, 2026, message. That earlier note had asked for Vinesh's response to the apparent missed test.
International Testing Agency ITA notice and whereabouts rules
The ITA clarified the notice is not an anti-doping violation. It is a warning linked to whereabouts rules for surprise checks. Rules under United World
Wrestling UWW and the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA set the thresholds. Three missed tests and or filing failures within a year count as a violation. Such a case can lead to a suspension of up to two years.
The ITA said the unsuccessful test attempt happened during Vinesh's set 60-minute window. A Doping Control Officer DCO could not find Vinesh at the declared place. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool RTP must provide a daily one-hour slot. This slot must fall between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The slot allows no-notice testing at any time.
The agency recorded that Vinesh was in Chandigarh that day. The ITA acknowledged Vinesh attended the first winter session of the Haryana Assembly. It said travel from Bengaluru to Chandigarh affected the planned routine. The ITA also noted Vinesh had recently welcomed a child. The agency said these factors increased personal responsibilities.
International Testing Agency ITA findings on missed update
During the visit, Vinesh reportedly cooperated with the DCO. Vinesh informed the DCO about being in Chandigarh for meetings. However, the ITA said the whereabouts entry was not updated in time. It stated athletes must update details as soon as plans change. The update must be done before the 60-minute slot begins.
The ITA added that Vinesh did not use other update channels. It listed SMS, email, and a mobile application as options. The agency said no revision was made on or before December 18. The decision letter also included a direct finding. "In light of the above, the ITA finds that you were unable to establish that no negligent behaviour on your part caused or contributed to your failure,\" it stated.
The ITA said the missed test would remain on record. It also stated Vinesh has a limited window to challenge it. Vinesh has seven days from May 4 to seek an administrative review. The request can be made if Vinesh believes negligence did not cause the failure. If no request is filed, the decision becomes final.
International Testing Agency ITA context and Vinesh Phogat comeback
The notice comes after Vinesh returned plans for competition in December 2025. Vinesh had earlier retired after the 2024 Paris Olympics. At those Games, Vinesh was disqualified from the women's 50kg final for being overweight. After the comeback announcement, Vinesh re-registered in the RTP. The RTP includes elite athletes under strict out-of-competition testing.
Vinesh's planned return event is the National Open Ranking tournament in Gonda. Vinesh had alleged the WFI tried to stop entry. Vinesh also raised concerns about possible bias in officiating. WFI President Sanjay Singh said safety would be ensured. Sanjay Singh also said Vinesh would get a fair chance to compete.
The International Testing Agency ITA oversees anti-doping work at the Olympic Games. It also runs anti-doping programmes at other major global events. The ITA is based in Lausanne. It manages anti-doping programmes for around 50 international sports federations. The case now remains at the warning stage under the whereabouts system.
With inputs from PTI
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