An Indian weightlifter that tested positive for a banned stimulant at the recent Commonwealth Games has denied ever using performance-enhancing substances.
Double-gold medallist Satheesha Rai said Thursday he was shocked to learn of the positive test. Rai took gold in the clean and jerk and the total weight, and the bronze medal in the snatch in the men's 77-kilogram event.
He said that he has been taking herbal medicines and food supplements, but never knowingly took a performance-enhancing drug.
Last week, another Indian weightlifter, Krishnan Madasamy, was stripped of three silver medals after testing positive for a metabolite of the banned steroid nandralone.
India won a total of 72 medals at the Commonwealth Games, third overall behind Australia and England. Should Rai be stripped of his medals, India would drop to fourth in the standings behind Canada.