New Delhi: The Sports Ministry today (Aug 24, 2004) suspended national weightlifting coaches Pal Singh Sandhu and Leonid Taranenko of Belarus in the wake of the doping scandal involving top women lifters Pratima Kumari and Sanamacha Chanu at the Athens Olympics. The decision was taken suo moto by Sports Minister Sunil Dutt.

"The Government has terminated the contracts of foreign coach Leonid Taranenko engaged for the weightlifters and national coach Pal Singh Sandhu with immediate effect," sources in the Ministry told sources. They said the Ministry had "lost confidence" in the two coaches after the doping episode in Athens.

Pratima Kumari (63kg) tested positive for anabolic steroid testosterone in a Pre-Olympic anti-dope drive by the International Weightlifting Federation.Chanu (53kg) tested positive for a diuretic after taking part in her event.

Both lifters were thrown out of the Games and have since returned home.