One more lifter tests positive

In a shocking dampner to the celebrations over its tremendous performance in the Commonwealth Games, India faces the danger of slipping from its unprecedented third position in the medals tally with yet another weightlifter failing the dope test.

Lifter Satheesha Rai, who won two gold and one bronze in the Games, which concluded on Sunday, has tested positive for a stimulant, according to Indian Olympic Association director A S V Prasad.

However, the Commonwealth Games Federation has made no official announcement about Rai testing positive.

If Rai is stripped of his medals, India's original haul of 32 golds will be reduced to 30, one less than Canada, who will then climb to the third position in the medals tally, behind Australia and England.

Prasad said the CGF may take a couple of days to make an official announcement but India will request for a test of his B-sample.

When contacted, the Commonweath Games secretariat declined to respond to queries.

If found guilty even after the second test, Rai will become the second Indian to test positive during the Games after fellow lifter Krishnan Madasamy tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone.

Madasamy was promptly stripped of all the three silver medals he won in the men's 62 kg category.

Rai had won two gold and a bronze in the 77 kg category.

India had finished third on the medals table with a record haul of 32 gold, 21 silver and 19 silver, having a difference of just one gold with Canada.