New Delhi: Despite tall claims by the government and Indian Olympic Association of having ridden Indian sports of drug menace, a number of top athletes tested positive for banned drugs during the National Games in Hyderabad last year.

Though officials are not disclosing any details, over a dozen athletes from at least three disciplines were believed to have tested positive during the December 13 to 22 Games which the organisers trumpeted as being "dope free".

The stunning disclosure comes on top of the drug fiasco involving two weightlifters in the Manchester Commonwealth Games last year. Admitting the embarrassing news, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Randhir Singh, who is also a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said, "The IOA had received a list from its Medical Commission containing the names of athletes who returned a positive result in the Games."

Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) president Dr Lalit Bhanot said those athletes whose 'A' sample tested positive in Hyderabad were grilled by a Medical Commission. "Once we got the communication from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) the concerned athletes were informed and were called before a medical commission."

PTI