13 October,2009 02:48 PM IST | | AFP
Two Indian weightlifters with Commonwealth Games medals face life bans after testing positive for banned substances a second time, an official said on Tuesday.
Shailaja Pujari, who won three gold medals in the women's 75-kilogram (165-pound) category at the 2002 Games in Manchester, failed an out-of-competition test conducted by India's National Anti-Doping Agency.
Vicky Batta, a silver-medallist in the men's 56-kilogram (123-pound) event at the 2006 event in Melbourne, returned positive when tested by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Indian official Balraj Gulati said.
"Out-of-competition tests were conducted a few days ago and both Shailaja and Vicky tested positive," Gulati, secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, told reporters.
"Both can demand to have their B-samples tested, but if that too comes out positive, they will be banned for life."
Both lifters have already served dope-related suspensions after Pujari failed an out-of competition test in 2006 and Batta tested positive at the National Games in 2007.
Gulati said India could be barred from competing in international events for a year if a third lifter tested positive before the end of 2009.
"Weightlifting is a power sport and lifters need supplements," he said. "But they have to be careful of the banned substances.
"We have tried to educate them about banned substances and reminded them to consult specialists before consuming any supplements.
"It's the greed of a few lifters which spoils the image of not just the federation but the entire country," Gulati said.
Both Pujari and Batta were regarded as medal prospects at the next Commonwealth Games to be held next year in the Indian capital New Delhi.
Indian lifters missed the Asian Games in Doha in 2006 due to a 12-month ban imposed on the national federation after four athletes tested positive within a year.
India's lone lifter at the Beijing Olympics, Monika Devi, was withdrawn over an alleged doping offence. Devi denied the charge and is fighting the allegation in court.
