Weightlifter tests positive in Doha

DOHA, Dec 9 (Reuters) A female weightlifter has failed a drugs test at the 15th Asian Games and been disqualified, organisers said today.

Myanmar's Than Kyi Kyi, who was placed fourth in the 48kg category event in Doha, tested positive for the banned diuretic furosemide, marking the first failed test of the 15th Games.

The 28-year-old was tested on December 2 and had waived her right to have a 'B' sample tested, organisers said.

The failed test is another body blow for the embattled sport, after India's lifting federation was banned for a year for doping violations and Iran had to pull out of this year's world championships in the Dominican Republic after nine of its lifters tested positive.

Husain Al Musallam, director general of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), said that Than's case would be referred to the International Weightlifting Federation but rejected any talk of collective punishment.

''We cannot punish athletes worldwide because of an individual act,'' he told reporters at a news conference. ''The Asian Games will not kick out the sport.'' BLANKET TESTING Some 1,200 tests will be conducted at the Games in the Qatari capital, including all medal winners -- an increase of 40 percent from the 2002 Games in Pusan, Doha's medical and doping control manager Abdul Wahab Al Mussleh said.

''We have conducted 630 tests so far, including 86 pre-game testing and 544 in competition.'' But blanket testing of all weightlifters at the Games was not under consideration, he added.

Jegathesan Manikavasagam, a member of the OCA's medical body, said the fight against doping in weightlifting was part of a wider battle to root out drug cheats in sport.

''This is a reality of the sporting landscape. There is drug abuse in sport,'' he said.

''But by doing these tests we attempt not only to catch the so-called drug cheats, but also to serve as a deterrent to those who may contemplate using these unfair measures to gain an advantage in sport.

''This is an ongoing battle. All anti-doping authorities are jointly waging a war against doping in sport.'' Reuters SAM GC1850