Indian athletes fail drug tests

Satheesha Rai failed a drug test after the Commonwealth Games
Twenty-two athletes at India's national games in December have tested positive for banned drugs.
The total, announced by the country's Olympic committee, included 13 medal winners.

"Doping has become a major menace in this country," said Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh.

He added that 19 doping cases were reported from the previous national games but the IOA had no record of any action taken.

Nine tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone, including bronze medal-winning rower Lakhshman Singh.

The scandal is the latest in a series of doping incidents involving the country's athletes.

Distance runner Sunita Rani had Asian Games medals returned to her after being cleared of doping charges, following an earlier positive test for nandrolone

Weightlifters Krishnan Madasamy and Satheesha Rai were stripped of their Commonwealth Games medals last year after failing tests.