Agencies

New Delhi, Jul 13: A leading Indian weightlifter could face a life ban after being caught for a second doping offence during this year's National Games.

Satheesha Rai, stripped of two gold medals and a bronze at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games for using a stimulant, tested positive for the banned steroid 'stanozolol', the Indian Olympic Association said on Thursday.

Rai, who competed in the 85 kg class, is the second lifter and ninth athlete overall to be caught for doping at the Games, held in February.

Rai became a second time dope offender at the 33rd National Games at Guwahati after his 'B' sample test was confirmed to be positive for banned substances 'Stanzolol Met 1' and 'Stanzolol Met 3' by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Bangkok.

As per rules, a second time doping offence results in a life ban.

The 85kg category lifter, who won a gold medal in Guwahati with a record lift, faces a life ban after being found guilty by the Indian Olympic Association panel, headed by the Anti-Doping Commission chairman Manmohan Singh .

IWF secretary Balbir Singh Bhatia said a decision on Rai would be taken after consultation with the International Federation.

"Life ban is a debatable point. We will discuss the matter with the international federation and will not do anything without seeking their advice. We do not want to take any action that may take us to court," Bhatia said.

"We will also put the matter in front of our executive committee meeting, which would be held in a couple of months' time. Until then he would not be allowed to compete. Our president is not in India and should be back in about 15 days time. Only then can we call for the meeting."