New Delhi, December 18, 2006: India's Santhi Soundarajan is likely to be stripped of the 800 meters silver she won at the just-concluded Doha Asian Games after failing a gender test.

Reuters India quoted head of the medical panel of the Indian Olympic Association, Dr. Manmohan Singh as saying: “She had to undergo a gender test and there were some problems with it."

"They (the organizers) have informed the executive board of the Olympic Council of Asia. Doubts were raised during the dope test by an official, following which the test was carried out," Singh added.

A sex test is not mandatory at international meets. Compulsory tests were done away with prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

There is, however, a provision to conduct the test if there is a protest from a fellow competitor or pertinent information is furnished about the gender of an athlete. It is believed that a fellow runner made a complaint.

The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee has not yet made an official statement.

The Olympic Council of Asia is expected to withdraw Santhi’s silver medal.