Britain’s top sprinter tests positive for drugs
Dwain Chambers could be in line for a lengthy ban if reports linking him with a positive drugs test prove correct.
The British 100m sprinter is reported by the Guardian newspaper to have tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), a so-called ‘designer steroid’ that was previously considered undetectable.
Chambers, who helped Great Britain to second place in the 4x100m relay at this summer’s World Championships in Paris, is said to have given a positive reading during an out-of-competition test, although the results of a B sample have yet to be released.
If found guilty, the 25-year-old Londoner could be in line for a minimum of two years out of the sport, although a longer ban could be on the cards as the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) look to come down hard on what they view as deliberate cheating.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have also reported that “several” athletes have produced positive samples for the steroid that was previously undetectable in tests, with shot-putter Kevin Toth the only athlete so far named.
After a tip-off from a coach, in which a used syringe was provided as evidence, the USADA improved their testing procedures in order to pick up traces of the drug and as many as 20 athletes may have tested positive at the recent US trials.
European 100m champion Chambers’ management or coach have so far not commented on the reports, while UK Sport have refrained from making any statement on the situation.
