India has suffered a major setback ahead of the Commonwealth Games as judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) over three whereabouts failures within a rolling 12-month period. The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medalist has been withdrawn from the competition pending an emergency hearing. In this video, we explain what a whereabouts failure is, why elite athletes must regularly update their location for out-of-competition testing, and how three missed filings or missed tests within 12 months can result in suspension under anti-doping rules.

Tulika Maan Suspended From Commonwealth Games | What Is a Whereabouts Failure?

Indian judoka Tulika Maan's withdrawal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games has once again highlighted one of the most stringent aspects of global anti-doping regulations—the ‘whereabouts’ system. The Commonwealth Games medallist pulled out of India's squad after the Judo Federation of India (JFI) confirmed that she had failed to comply with the mandatory whereabouts requirements, a matter that is now expected to be examined by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The development comes at a crucial stage in India's preparations for the Games and raises important questions about the anti-doping obligations athletes must fulfil even when they are not competing.<h2>Why was Tulika Maan withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games?</h2>Tulika Maan withdrew from India's Commonwealth Games squad after allegedly failing to disclose her whereabouts as required under anti-doping regulations. According to Judo Federation of India president Yashpal Solanki, the federation received communication regarding the issue and decided that Tulika would not travel with the Indian contingent. He also stated that the matter now falls under NADA's jurisdiction, with the anti-doping body expected to determine the next course of action.The withdrawal is administrative rather than performance-related, with the issue centering on compliance with anti-doping procedures rather than a failed drug test.<h2>What are the whereabouts rules under anti-doping regulations?</h2>The whereabouts system is a key pillar of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) anti-doping programme. Elite athletes included in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) must regularly provide detailed information about where they can be located. This includes:<ul><li>Their residential address.</li><li>Daily training venues and timings.</li><li>Competition schedules.</li><li>Travel plans.</li><li>A specific 60-minute time slot every day during which they are guaranteed to be available for out-of-competition testing.</li></ul>The purpose of the system is to allow anti-doping officials to conduct surprise tests without prior notice. Since performance-enhancing substances can be used outside competition periods, unannounced testing is considered essential to maintaining fair play. Athletes are responsible for keeping their whereabouts information accurate and updated whenever their schedules change.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/vinicius-junior-to-arsenal-gunners-eye-blockbuster-transfer-as-real-madrid-contract-talks-stall-1784974446032">Vinicius Junior to Arsenal? Gunners eye blockbuster transfer as Real Madrid contract talks stall</a><h2>What action can NADA take if an athlete violates the whereabouts rules?</h2>Under the World Anti-Doping Code, failing to comply with whereabouts requirements can itself constitute an anti-doping rule violation. There are generally two types of violations:<ul><li>Filing failures, where athletes fail to submit or update their whereabouts information correctly.</li><li>Missed tests, where doping control officers are unable to locate an athlete during the declared 60-minute testing window.</li></ul>If an athlete accumulates three whereabouts failures within a rolling 12-month period, it can amount to an anti-doping rule violation, which may attract disciplinary proceedings and a suspension if established. NADA will now examine Tulika Maan's case, determine the facts and decide whether any anti-doping rule violation has occurred under the applicable regulations. The athlete is entitled to due process before any final sanction is imposed.<h2>Could this affect Tulika Maan's future competitions?</h2>The outcome of the NADA proceedings will determine the impact on Tulika Maan's career. If no anti-doping rule violation is established, she could return to competition without any long-term consequences. However, if NADA concludes that the whereabouts failures amount to a violation under the World Anti-Doping Code, disciplinary action could affect her eligibility for future international tournaments.&nbsp;Any suspension would have implications for her preparations for upcoming events, including major international championships and qualification pathways leading to future multi-sport competitions. For now, Tulika's immediate focus is likely to be on the NADA process, with the final decision expected to determine when she can return to competitive judo.

Why did Tulika Maan withdraw from the Commonwealth Games? Here's what happened, WADA's whereabouts rules, NADA's role, and how the case could impact the Indian judoka's future

Indian judoka Tulika Maan's withdrawal from the 2026 Commonwealth Games has once again highlighted one of the most stringent aspects of global anti-doping regulations—the ‘whereabouts’ system. The Commonwealth Games medallist pulled out of India's squad after the Judo Federation of India (JFI) confirmed that she had failed to comply with the mandatory whereabouts requirements, a matter that is now expected to be examined by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). The development comes at a crucial stage in India's preparations for the Games and raises important questions about the anti-doping obligations athletes must fulfil even when they are not competing. Why was Tulika Maan withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games? Tulika Maan withdrew from India's Commonwealth Games squad after allegedly failing to disclose her whereabouts as required under anti-doping regulations. According to Judo Federation of India president Yashpal Solanki, the federation received communication regarding the issue and decided that Tulika would not travel with the Indian contingent. He also stated that the matter now falls under NADA's jurisdiction, with the anti-doping body expected to determine the next course of action. The withdrawal is administrative rather than performance-related, with the issue centering on compliance with anti-doping procedures rather than a failed drug test. What are the whereabouts rules under anti-doping regulations? The whereabouts system is a key pillar of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) anti-doping programme. Elite athletes included in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) must regularly provide detailed information about where they can be located. This includes: Their residential address. Daily training venues and timings. Competition schedules. Travel plans. A specific 60-minute time slot every day during which they are guaranteed to be available for out-of-competition testing. The purpose of the system is to allow anti-doping officials to conduct surprise tests without prior notice. Since performance-enhancing substances can be used outside competition periods, unannounced testing is considered essential to maintaining fair play. Athletes are responsible for keeping their whereabouts information accurate and updated whenever their schedules change. Also Read: Vinicius Junior to Arsenal? Gunners eye blockbuster transfer as Real Madrid contract talks stall What action can NADA take if an athlete violates the whereabouts rules? Under the World Anti-Doping Code, failing to comply with whereabouts requirements can itself constitute an anti-doping rule violation. There are generally two types of violations: Filing failures, where athletes fail to submit or update their whereabouts information correctly. Missed tests, where doping control officers are unable to locate an athlete during the declared 60-minute testing window. If an athlete accumulates three whereabouts failures within a rolling 12-month period, it can amount to an anti-doping rule violation, which may attract disciplinary proceedings and a suspension if established. NADA will now examine Tulika Maan's case, determine the facts and decide whether any anti-doping rule violation has occurred under the applicable regulations. The athlete is entitled to due process before any final sanction is imposed. Could this affect Tulika Maan's future competitions? The outcome of the NADA proceedings will determine the impact on Tulika Maan's career. If no anti-doping rule violation is established, she could return to competition without any long-term consequences. However, if NADA concludes that the whereabouts failures amount to a violation under the World Anti-Doping Code, disciplinary action could affect her eligibility for future international tournaments. Any suspension would have implications for her preparations for upcoming events, including major international championships and qualification pathways leading to future multi-sport competitions. For now, Tulika's immediate focus is likely to be on the NADA process, with the final decision expected to determine when she can return to competitive judo.

Indian judoka Tulika Maan was withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games over alleged whereabouts rule violations. Here's what happened, how WADA's system works, NADA's role and what lies ahead

Why was Tulika Maan withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games? Explained: What happened, whereabouts rules, and what happens next

Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after being charged with an alleged violation of the National Anti-Doping Rules (NADR) 2021 related to repeated whereabouts failures. In a notification issued to the athlete, NADA said that it believes Maan may have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Article 2.4 of the NADR 2021, which covers failures by athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to comply with mandatory whereabouts requirements.&nbsp;According to the notification, the results management proceedings will be conducted by NADA in accordance with the provisions of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. NADA said Tulika Maan had remained continuously included in the Registered Testing Pool and had been informed through emails dated December 16, 2023, and January 22, 2026, regarding her obligation to submit accurate and timely whereabouts information through the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).&nbsp;The anti-doping agency said that Doping Control Officers (DCOs) were sent to collect the athlete's sample during the locations and time slots she had provided in ADAMS. However, Maan was allegedly not present during the designated testing windows on two separate occasions. The first whereabouts failure, classified as a missed test, occurred on August 10, 2025. NADA informed the athlete about the missed test on October 10, 2025, and the failure was officially recorded on November 27, 2025.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jurgen-klopp-appointed-as-germany-coach-until-2030-says-football-can-change-a-country-1784895211732">Jurgen Klopp appointed as Germany coach until 2030, says 'football can change a country'</a>&nbsp;The second missed test took place on November 1, 2025. According to the notification, Maan was informed on February 18, 2026, while the whereabouts failure was officially recorded on May 22, 2026. NADA later issued a corrigendum to the notification on June 19, 2026. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the National Anti-Doping Rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures, including missed tests and filing failures, within a 12-month period may constitute an anti-doping rule violation.&nbsp;NADA has alleged that Tulika Maan's case falls under Article 2.4 of the National Anti-Doping Rules and has imposed a provisional suspension while disciplinary proceedings are underway. The suspension comes as a significant setback for Indian judo ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Maan, who won the silver medal in the women's +78kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was regarded as one of India's leading medal contenders for the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India's judo campaign is scheduled to begin on July 31, with the national contingent expected to depart for Glasgow on July 27.

Indian judoka Tulika Maan faces provisional suspension by NADA over alleged whereabouts failures ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) after being charged with an alleged violation of the National Anti-Doping Rules (NADR) 2021 related to repeated whereabouts failures. In a notification issued to the athlete, NADA said that it believes Maan may have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Article 2.4 of the NADR 2021, which covers failures by athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to comply with mandatory whereabouts requirements. According to the notification, the results management proceedings will be conducted by NADA in accordance with the provisions of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021. NADA said Tulika Maan had remained continuously included in the Registered Testing Pool and had been informed through emails dated December 16, 2023, and January 22, 2026, regarding her obligation to submit accurate and timely whereabouts information through the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). The anti-doping agency said that Doping Control Officers (DCOs) were sent to collect the athlete's sample during the locations and time slots she had provided in ADAMS. However, Maan was allegedly not present during the designated testing windows on two separate occasions. The first whereabouts failure, classified as a missed test, occurred on August 10, 2025. NADA informed the athlete about the missed test on October 10, 2025, and the failure was officially recorded on November 27, 2025. Also Read: Jurgen Klopp appointed as Germany coach until 2030, says 'football can change a country' The second missed test took place on November 1, 2025. According to the notification, Maan was informed on February 18, 2026, while the whereabouts failure was officially recorded on May 22, 2026. NADA later issued a corrigendum to the notification on June 19, 2026. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the National Anti-Doping Rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures, including missed tests and filing failures, within a 12-month period may constitute an anti-doping rule violation. NADA has alleged that Tulika Maan's case falls under Article 2.4 of the National Anti-Doping Rules and has imposed a provisional suspension while disciplinary proceedings are underway. The suspension comes as a significant setback for Indian judo ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Maan, who won the silver medal in the women's +78kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was regarded as one of India's leading medal contenders for the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games. India's judo campaign is scheduled to begin on July 31, with the national contingent expected to depart for Glasgow on July 27.

Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by NADA over alleged whereabouts failures, dealing a blow to India's CWG hopes

Commonwealth Games 2026: Why Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by NADA

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Tulika Maan Suspended From Commonwealth Games | What Is a Whereabouts Failure?

Why was Tulika Maan withdrawn from Commonwealth Games. All you need to know

CWG 2026: Why Indian judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by NADA