New Delhi, Nov. 29 -- In a strong message to athletes under doping sanctions, the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) has slapped an additional four-year ban on national-level athlete Shipra Sarkar for participating in competitions while serving a four-year doping ban. Shipra, a middle-distance runner, was suspended for four years, from June 29, 2020 to June 28, 2024, after she tested positive for androgens in an out-of-competition test conducted in Kolkata in February 2020. Shipra, however, flouted rules during her ineligibility period and participated in the All India Inter-Railways Athletics Championships for two successive years, in 2022 and 2023. She competed in 800m and 1500m at these meets, which are held to select the Railways teams for India's top domestic competitions. All her results, medals and prizes obtained during the period of her participation will be disqualified. When the matter came to the notice of National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), it charged Shipra for violating Article 10.14.1 (Prohibition against participation during ineligibility) of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. Consequently, the ADDP conducted a hearing and recently imposed an additional four-year ban on Shipra that runs till June 27, 2028. The panel has also advised the the Athletics Federation of India to ensure that athletes serving a sanction period do not participate in any competitions during the duration of their ineligibility....