13-Oct-2009 108
Indian weightlifters’ participation in next year’s Commonwealth Games becomes uncertain as the National federation faced the prospect of a one-year ban after a third positive dope test. Indian Weightlifting federation (IWF) secretary B R gulati confirmed that after already-tainted Shailja Pujari and vicky Batta were caught for the second time, woman lifter Priyadarshini too has flunked a dope test.
``Priyadarshini was tested in Pune on August 7 and 8 during trials and was found positive. The National Anti-Doping Agency report says she was using a masking agent to save herself from getting caught for taking banned substances,`` Gulati said. Although Gulati refused to comment on the possibility of a ban, sources in the IWF said the penalty seems unavoidable.
``Piyadarshini has been caught for the first time and she might face a two-year ban for it,`` the source said. According to the rules of International Weightlifting Federation, a National federation can be banned for a year if three of its lifters test positive for a banned substance. ``The rules are clear, the National federation can be banned for a year if there are three positive dope tests in a year. IWF can escape the ban if it can pay Rs one lakh fine,`` the source said.
Earlier, Shailja had tested poitive for a banned anabolic steroid in a NADA test while Vicky had been caught by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). If IWF is banned, the Indian lifters would not be able to participate in the October 3 to 14 Games.
The federation would also have to shell out US$ 5,000 for every failed dope test. IWF has been banned twice previously, the last time being in 2006 when Shailja, B Pramilavalli, Edwin Raju and Tejinder Singh tested positive. The ban was lifted after six months after the IWF gave a US$ 50,000 fine.
Meanwhile, sources said Shailja has not yet sought a test of her B sample. If she doesn’y seeks one in the next couple of days, it would be taken as admission of guilt and she would be banned immediately.
