Santhi ?not a woman?; set to lose Doha Asiad silver

The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will not confirm it. But sources in the IOA say Soundarajan Santhi, who won silver in the women?s 800 metres at the Asian Games, has failed a gender test at Doha. She is set to be stripped of her medal.

The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will not confirm it. But sources in the IOA say Soundarajan Santhi, who won silver in the women’s 800 metres at the Asian Games, has failed a gender test at Doha. She is set to be stripped of her medal.

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The AFI remains in denial mode. “We have not received any official intimation from either the IOA or the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee, so we will not be able to say anything right now,” said AFI secretary Lalit Bhanot.

It is learnt Santhi could not make it to the Southern Railway team last year following doubts over her gender. Santhi trained under Dr Nikolai, the foreign coach for athletics, in Bangalore.

According to International Olympic Committee rules, an athlete undergoes a gender test only when doubts arise, or someone complains.