Two Indian weighlifters fail dope test, risk life ban

Weightlifters Vicky Batta and Shailaja Pujari have tested positive in out-of-competition dope test and face the risk of being banned for life.

Batta (56 kg) tested positive in a surprise test conducted by World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in September while Pujari (75 kg) was caught in an out-of-competition test done by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA), a source told IANS.

"But since NADA lab is accredited by WADA, it means that both lifters have tested positive in WADA labs," the source said.

Both lifters have tested positive before and have just come out this year serving a two-year ban.

It is up to the lifters whether they would go for a B sample testing and if that, too, comes positive, then they could be banned for life by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for two failed tests.

Sources confirmed that Shailaja might not apply for a B sample testing as there are just two days left for the grace period of 15 days within which she has to apply.

In Vicky's case, there are still 10 days left for him to consider and go for a second testing.

Forty Indian lifters were tested in the surprise WADA visit ahead of the World Weightlifting Championship next month.

Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) secretary B.R. Gulati told IANS that the federation will have to shell out a fine of at least $50,000, if the lifters' B sample also tests positive.

"The fine imposed by the international federation could be more also. It is the federation which will suffer. But we have taken strict action against dope offenders in the past and will continue to do that."

Doping has been a menace in Indian weightlifting and IWF has been banned twice before from taking part in international competitions.

Last updated on Oct 12^th, 2009 at 21:34 pm IST--IANS