NEW DELHI, Feb 7: Three Indian weightlifters have tested positive for banned drugs, two days after the world body lifted a ban on the country for dope offences.

Indian weightlifting official Balbir Bhatia on Wednesday confirmed media reports that the three unnamed athletes had failed tests conducted during the national championships in December.

“The Sports Authority of India has informed us about the positive tests,”said Bhatia. “We will take strict action against them once the final reports

are received.”Bhatia said the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) had on Monday revoked a ban imposed on India from all world meetings following four positive dope tests before and during the Commonwealth Games in March, 2006.

The ban was lifted after India paid half of the 50,000-dollar fine demanded by the IWF to fund extensive anti-doping programmes, Bhatia said.

Indian weightlifters, who missed the Asian Games in December due to the ban, can now compete in the Bejing Olympics next year -- provided they qualify and no further positive tests are reported in international meets.

Two male Indian weightlifters, Edwin Raju and Tejinder Singh, tested positive during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Two women lifters, Prameelavalli Bodari and Shailaja Pujari, failed pre-Games tests and were banned by India from making the trip to Australia.

India's weightlifting federation banned all four for life. - AFP