Disgraced weightlifter Pratima Kumari's 'B' sample has also returned positive. According to the Weightlifting Federation of India (WFI), her reports on the B sample test that reached here were the same as in Athens where she tested positive for banned performance-enhancing steroid testosterone. She now faces a two-year ban from the international body.
"We have informed Pratima and sent her the report we had received from the International Weightlifting Federation," said WFI secretary Balbir Bhatia on Friday. "There is nothing different from the one that was tested in Athens. She has another 30 days to appeal before the IWF's sanction. We will wait for her reply."
However, the WFI, which had decided during a meeting in Mumbai to impose life ban on lifters who test positive at major international events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, et al, is caught in a legal dilemma - whether it can implement this ban on Pratima and Sanamcha Chanu, who also tested positive in Athens for Furosemide. The logic being that the Olympics was held a month before the WFI's life-ban decision.
"We'll abide by the IWF's sanction and we'll take the harshest action against the two lifters who have brought disgrace to the nation," said Bhatia.
{{/usCountry}}"We'll abide by the IWF's sanction and we'll take the harshest action against the two lifters who have brought disgrace to the nation," said Bhatia.
{{/usCountry}}But one thing is certain now. The WFI will get a one-year ban or $50,000 fine for returning three postive test in a year (earlier S Sunaina had tested positive during Asian championships in April).
Pratima's sample was tested in Athens on September 20. She tested positive during an out-of-competition test carried out by the international weightlifting body there.