Shocked at weightlifter Monika Devi flunking the dope test, Indian Olympic contingent's Deputy Chef de mission Baljit Singh Sethi today said the only saving grace for the country was that she could be prevented from reaching the Games village.

"Monika Devi has declared tested positive in Delhi before she could start for Beijing.

The SAI lab in Delhi analysed and found the substance which I am not aware yet," Sethi said.

"We are actually relieved it happened before she reached here because it would have shamed the country if she had failed a test at the Olympics," he added.

Monika Devi (69 kg), India's lone weightlifter in the Olympics, was withdrawn last night after she tested positive for an anabolic salt in a pre-Games test.

"I can confirm that Monika will not be taking part in the Games because she failed a dope test at home.

"But I have no idea if we can replace her.

"I don't know the rules, but I think it's probably too late to seek a replacement," Sethi said.

"I can't understand why athletes think they can get away with it despite strict measures in place to find drug cheats.

"There are also random tests on," he added.

Monika was picked ahead of Andhra weightlifter Shailaja Pujari (75 kg), who performed better than the Manipuri in the selection trials last month.