India weightlifter probe ordered

Monika Devi's ban ended India's weight lifting hopes

An investigation has been ordered by India's sports ministry into how weightlifter Monika Devi was prevented from going to the Olympics.

Devi was stopped from attending the games shortly before boarding a flight to China because of a doping accusation that was subsequently revoked.

She has always denied any wrongdoing and blamed Sports Authority of India officials for ruining her medal hopes.

Devi was the sole Indian lifter due to have participated in Beijing.

"I have discussed all aspects of this unfortunate incident and have decided to appoint an immediate inquiry," Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill said in a statement.

The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) described the initial positive test report as "flimsy" and argued that urine tests by the Delhi-based laboratory were not up to international standards.

Ms Devi was reported to have failed a Sports Authority of India (SAI) urine test on 29 July, which revealed the presence of a performance-enhancing anabolic salt.

IWF President Harbhajan Singh pointed out that Ms Devi had been tested almost 30 times in the past 18 months, all of which had been negative.

Her exclusion from the games led to protests in her home state of Manipur, whose government has also demanded a federal police investigation into the issue.

Mr Gill said stern action would be taken against laboratory officials if there were lapses on their part.

Indian weightlifting has been mired in controversy over the last two years because of high-profile positive tests.

Two women lifters were expelled following pre-Olympics checks for Athens in 2004.