Top Indian athletes flunk dope test

A doping scandal has resurfaced on the Indian athletics scene with two top women quarter-milers returning positive for a banned substance in tests conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The 'A' samples of the two 400m runners taken by an international agency -- International Doping Tests and Management of Sweden -- on behalf of the IAAF at NIS Patiala and tested at National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi had returned positive for prohibited substance, a NADA source said.

One of the two was a member of the women's 400m relay quartet that had won gold in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games last year. The other had missed out a podium finish in the 400m race in the Asian Games.

The banned substance is expected to be revealed only after 'B' sample test results. Both the athletes had their 'B' samples tested on Monday at the NDTL.

The development is a huge setback for the country as both were included in the yet-to-be-announced Indian team for the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Kobe, Japan from July 7.

They will have to be dropped from the team if their 'B' samples test positive.

The IAAF is expected to impose a provisional two-year suspension if the 'B' sample results also test positive for the banned drug.