*GOLD COAST: Two Indian athletes were kicked out of the Commonwealth Gameson Friday after syringes were found in their accommodation, a breach oftournament rules.*

Triple jumper Rakesh Babu and race-walker Irfan Kolothum Thodi werestripped of their accreditation and ordered to take the first availableflight home, Games president Louise Martin said.

A cleaner found a syringe in a cup on a bedside table in their room, and anAustralian anti-doping official found another in Babu’s bag.

It comes after India were cleared of doping but given a strong reprimandover unauthorised use of syringes after an unwell boxer was given a vitamininjection.

“Rakesh Babu and Irfan Kolothum Thodi are with immediate effect notpermitted to participate in the Games,” Martin said.

“We have asked the Commonwealth Games Association of India to ensure bothathletes depart Australia on the first flight available,” she added.

Babu, 28, will now miss the men’s triple jump on Saturday. Thodi, also 28,finished 13th in the 20km race walk on Sunday.

The Commonwealth Games has banned unauthorised use of syringes in a bid tostamp out doping.

No failed drugs tests have been reported at the Games, but pre-tournamenttesting snared three Australian athletes and a number of foreigncompetitors. –APP/ AFP