New Delhi:
The "strong action" it has promised against repeat dope-offender India is a only a position statement as of now because the country's six dope cases are still in the process of being confirmed, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) said on Sunday.
IWF has promised to take strict action against India, which has been banned twice in the past, for the six recent dope cases that came to light last month.
The lifters had flunked the out-of-competition dope tests conducted by WADA in September in Pune. But the international body has not set any time-frame for coming out with its decision on the matter.
"The Indian doping cases are still in progress which means that the cases are not closed yet, and in accordance with the WADA and IWF Anti-Doping Policy, no official and final decision can be taken before the last case is concluded," the IWF said.
"Therefore the Executive Board took a temporary decision, i.e. a position statement in the event that the adverse analytical findings (positive results) are confirmed," it added.
The IWF Executive Board met in Goyang City, Korea this weekend where international doping cases were also discussed.
The IWF statement indicates that dope-tainted lifters may have sought a 'B' sample test at the WADA-accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany.
According to sources, only one of the six has asked for a second test, while the other five have accepted the findings of the 'A' sample test.
The IWF said the decision on India's case has not been deferred because of the ongoing World Championships, where the country has not fielded a team because of the doping scandal.
"The timing of the decision has nothing to do with the World Championships, only with the end of the processes of the relevant doping violation cases of the Indian lifters.
Logically, after the last one," it said.
Under IWF rules, a national federation can be banned for a maximum period of four years with or without fine if four or more of their lifters test positive.
A ban of more than a year means India could face the ignominy of not being able to field its lifters in next year's Commonwealth Games to be held here from the October 3-14.