Dope-tainted Monika rejoins CWG camp

New Delhi: After serving a two-year ban for a dope flunk in 2008, top Indian woman lifter Monika Devi has joined training for the Commonwealth Games to be held here in October after clearing a confirmatory test, Indian Weightlifting Federation said on Monday. The 69-kg weightlifter Monika, who was stopped from taking part in the Beijing Olympics two years ago under controversial circumstances, is now training with 33 other elite lifters at the SAI facilities at Shilaroo near Shimla after completing her two-year ban period last month. “Monika’s ban period ended last month and she has cleared a mandatory confirmatory test by the NADA and has joined Commonwealth Games camp at Shilaroo some days back,” IWF Secretary Sahdev Yadav told reporters. “34 lifters are training at the SAI Centre at Shilaroo and all the facilities are being provided to the lifters there,” he added. Monika failed a dope test conducted on June 5, 2008 and hence her two-year ban expired on June 5, 2010. Out of the 34 lifters now being trained at Shilaroo, the final 15 (seven women and eight men for the CWG) will be picked in a selection trial prior to the October 3-14 mega event. PTI