Palinder Chaudhary, a 19-year-old athlete, allegedly committed suicide in his hostel room at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in South Delhi, police said on Wednesday.

Chaudhary used a crepe bandage to hang himself from a ceiling fan in his room. He was found by a friend, who immediately raised an alarm and cut the bandage with a knife, Vijay Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (south), said.

His coach Harkamaljeet Singh rushed him to the medical centre of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, from where he was taken to Safdarjung hospital, the officer said, adding that doctors at Sadarjung declared him dead on Wednesday morning.

Chaudhary has been staying in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium hostel since November 2016 and training for the 100- and 200-metre races, the DCP said. He had represented India in 100 and 200 metres at the international level. He had participated in the Youth Asia Athletic meet in Bangkok in 2017, the senior officer said.

No suicide note has been recovered, the police said, adding that the reason for the suicide is not known yet.

Chaudhary’s father has arrived from Agra and inquest proceedings have been initiated, the officer said.