PtG Article 19.11.2009

Indian Weightlifting Federation fears ban

A large part of the executive board of the Indian Weightlifting Federation stepped down this week after six Indian weightlifters tested positive in out-of-competition testing during the last month.

The executive board of the Indian Weightlifting Federation has been pressed to their resignation by both the Indian Olympic Committee and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

According to international rules a national federation can be banned for up to four years if four or more lifters test positive for doping in a calendar year.

The fate of the Indian weightlifters will be revealed during the IWF's executive board meeting currently taking place in Korea. Due to the resignation of board members, the Indian Federation is hoping for a lenient decision allowing them to compete in the Commonwealth Games next year in India.

SOURCE: THE DECCAN HERALD