By IANS
New Delhi : Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has sought the advice of the sport’s world governing body on the quantum of punishment for lifter Satish Rai, who tested positive a second time for a banned substance.
Although a life ban looks imminent for the 85-kg weightlifter, especially as Rai had also tested positive for a banned stimulant at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, it is only a matter of time before the punishment is pronounced.
Rai’s second positive test was during the Guwahati National Games in February.
“I will write to the International Weightlifting Federation (WFI) Friday to seek advice on Rai’s punishment as it will have far reaching consequences,” IWF secretary Balbir Singh Bhatia told IANS.
Bhatia took pains to emphasise that Rai, whose both ‘A’ and ‘B’ urine samples have tested positive for stanazolol in Guwahati, would not be shown any leniency while determining the punishment.
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) disqualifies the results obtained by Satish Rai, weightlifter in the 33rd National Games 2007, Guwahati, with all consequences, including forfeiture of all medals and prizes as per rules,” the IOA said in a release, confirming the name of the athlete responsible for the ninth positive test in Guwahati.
Manmohan Singh, chairman of the medical and anti-doping commission of the IOA, said IWF would have to take action against the Karnataka weightlifter.
“The federation will have to take action against Rai. Just in case they don’t, then the IOA will come into the picture,” Singh told IANS.
“Our role is to carry out the orders of the IOA. I will consult my federation president tomorrow and then send the mail to the world body,” said Bhatia, trying hard to justify the delay in sending communication on the sensitive issue.
“I will ask the international federation whether to ban Rai for life or given him some other punishment. We will go by what they say. This is not to give any relief to him,” he said.
Asked if he felt the need to write to the world body because the rules were unclear, Bhatia said there was “no harm” in seeking their advice.
Bhatia added that Rai had not tried to get in touch with IWF since the confirmation of his positive drug test.
The others who tested positive for banned drugs at the Guwahati National Games were: Jasmine Joseph (nandrolone/women’s 400 metres), Gajendra Kumar (mephentermine/javelin), Taranjit Singh (nandrolone and furosemide/boxing-over 91kg), Jenny Lalremliani (furosemide/women’s boxing-63kg), Amol Buchade (nandrolone/wrestling-96kg Greco-Roman), Jasvir Singh (nandrolone/kabaddi), Vicky Batta (furosemide/weightlifting-56kg) and Monika Narwal (furosemide/women’s wrestling-56kg).