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Weightlifting: Indian minister seeks explanation for doping shame

NEW DELHI: India’s sports minister has demanded an explanation and a public apology from the weightlifting federation for another doping scandal that could result in the host nation not having any lifters competing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Sports Minister M.S. Gill said the positive tests for six weightlifters in out-of-competition tests in September could result in another international ban for the national federation and had “brought shame to the country.” “The senior IWF officials owe an explanation to the country and express regret for the dope offense by the lifters,” Gill said in a speech Monday, according to Press Trust of India. “They should take moral responsibility and do whatever to eliminate doping from weightlifting.”

The International Weightlifting Federation will meet at the world championships venue in South Korea this week to determine a sanction for India, PTI reported. Countries face up to a four-year ban if three or more lifters return positive for banned substances in a calendar year. Even if India is only banned from international competition for a year, it would rule them out of weightlifting events at the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

“If there is to be a ban so be it,” Gill was quoted as saying. “The only thing is because of the lifters taking drugs, the country will have to suffer.” The Indian weightlifting team was barred from competing at the 2006 Asian Games after four competitors tested positive within a 12-month period. Monika Devi, India’s only weightlifter selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was withdrawn after an alleged doping offense. Devi claimed she was framed by officials and the government ordered an investigation. ap

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