Chief coach Pal Singh Sandhu refused to take responsibility for the Karnam Malleswari flop-show on Wednesday during the women's 63-kg category weightlifting event saying foreign expert Leonid Taranenko had the final say in the lifter's training.

"The foreign coach was taking care of the training and other things. I was just an assistant. Whenever something happens they (foreign coaches) are given the credit...," Sandhu told the media in Athens.

Sydney Games bronze winner Malleswari had to pull out of the 63 kg category after her opening snatch no-lift citing back pain, which had been troubling her for a quite some time.

Malleswari had given credit to only Taranenko after winning the medal in the 69 kg category four years ago.

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The other Indian lifter in fray in the 63 kg division, Pratima Kumari, also opted out of the event due to back pain.

According to information, Pratima had pulled out of the competition two days ago but the Indian media in Athens was kept in the dark about the development.

Asked what were the reasons for the dismal show of the four Indian women lifters, Sandhu avoided a direct answer and said, "you better ask him (foreign coach)."