CGF bans two Indian athletes, arrests protesters

GOLD COAST, Apr 13 (AP): The banning of two Indian competitors for breaching the 'no-needles' policy at the athletes village and the arrest of some protesters overshadowed the competition early Friday at the Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Louise Martin said triple jumper Rakesh Babu and race walker Irfan Kolothum Thodi had been banned from the games and ordered to return home immediately.

A statement said testimony from an Australia Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigator was "credible," and cast doubt on comments from the two athletes.