The Medical Commission of the Indian Olympic Association will meet on Wednesday to look into the cases of drug abuse by 22 athletes during the Hyderabad National Games in December 2002 and decide what action should be taken against them.
Speaking to rediff.com IOA secretary general Randhir Singh said the meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Dr Manmohan Singh.
According to details released by the IOA, random urine samples of 465 athletes were taken for testing during the Games. Twenty-two tested positive for the use of anabolic steroids, stimulants and masking agents.
The tests were conducted in a dope testing laboratory of the Sports Authority of India, in Delhi, which incidentally does not have recognition of the International Olympic Committee.
Laxman Singh, whose A and B samples tested positive for use of the banned drug nandrolone, was slapped a life ban by the Rowing Federation of India. He won a bronze medal in the single skulls event at the Games.
P Udyalakshmi, who won two gold medals in hurdles also faces a ban for using drugs to enhance her performance. She has levelled serious charges against L V Subramanyam, Director, Sports Authority of India, Andhra Pradesh, for providing athletes the money buy the performance-enhancing drugs.
The IOA is likely to release the names of the athletes against whom the medical commission recommends action after the meeting of the commission.
