Weightlifter Pardeep Singh suspended for human Growth Hormone doping

Commonwealth Games, 2018 silver medallist and reigning national champion, weightlifter Pardeep Singh has been handed a provisional four-year suspension after his blood sample tested positive for human Growth Hormone (hGH).

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

WADA is a strong defender of ethical sports and guarantees athletes’ legal protection. WADA also aims to harmonise antidoping work all over the world.

The goal of the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA is a world in which all athletes compete in a clean sporting environment.

World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits hGH in and out of competitions and is listed in the category of anabolic agents, as Pardeep Singh becomes the Indian athlete who has tested positive, according to National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) director general Navin Agarwal.

Governments have committed themselves to supporting WADA’s operations via the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport.

Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is produced in the body and secreted by the pituitary gland near the base of the brain. HGH helps in bone, organ and cartilage growth and also helps in repairing damaged muscles.

When the gland releases the growth hormone, it results in the secretion of a protein called IGF-1 from the liver. The IGF-1 protein is what ultimately stimulates the growth of bones, muscle, and other tissues. hGH is banned both in-competition as well as out-of-competition by the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) as hGH is known to increase muscle mass, strength as well as tissue-repairing effects.