The Hindu : Sport : Another lifter tests positive

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Another lifter tests positive

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Another weightlifter, Sunita Kumari of Punjab, has tested positive for a banned substance in tests conducted by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) in Pune last month.

Confirming Sunita’s positive test, a top official of the Indian Weightlifting Federation told The Hindu on Friday that the athlete had been intimated about her returning positive.

If Sunita opts for the ‘B’ sample test, then she has to apply for it by the first week of next month.

So far, eight weightlifters have tested positive for banned substances and the Indian federation faces a ban and/or a heavy fine by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

The penalty is likely to be decided by the IWF Executive Board, which meets on November 18, prior to the World championships in Goyang, South Korea.

Earlier, Shailaja Pujari, Vijaya Devi, Vicky Batta, Rajesh Kumar and Harbhajan Singh had tested positive in tests conducted by the IWF/WADA.

Priyadarshini and S. Yamini returned ‘positive’ results in tests carried out by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). Pujari also tested positive in a NADA test.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has formed a committee under the chairmanship of K.P. Singh Deo to enquire into the matter and give its recommendations.

The panel has held a few meetings and heard some of the ‘accused’ lifters.

Meanwhile, the Indian federation has started sending out demands of payment from the weightlifters who have tested positive.

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