Athletics body plans drug hunt http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3208978.stm
Athletics' world governing body is poised to re-test all the drug samples from this year's World Championships. The IAAF is planning the move to search for the designer steroid at the heart of a new US doping scandal. The IAAF told the AP news agency it was investigating whether there are legal obstacles to re-opening the tests before going ahead. Any positive tests from samples taken during the championships could lead to retroactive disqualifications and bans. IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai said: "We are for transparency. We want a clean sport. This is a great opportunity. We don't want to leave potential cheaters untouched." Gyulai said a decision was expected early this week. "If there is no legal obstacle to doing this, I am confident the approach will be positive." The search has been prompted by an announcement by the US Anti-Doping Agency last Thursday that several athletes tested positive for a previously undetectable steroid - tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG. USADA chief executive officer Terry Madden called it a widespread conspiracy involving chemists, athletes and coaches. Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, said the IAAF should proceed with the tests. "I would think that the IAAF should be saying, 'To the extent we still have some samples around we should analyse them and make sure it wasn't being used at our championships,' he said. "I think they ought to welcome the opportunity." International Olympic Committee vice-president Thomas Bach also supported the move to recheck the samples. "As far as it can be done, why not?" he said. "Paris is still very recent." The World Championships were held from 23-31 August and approximately 400 samples were taken. The doping control laboratory at the University of California in Los Angeles developed a test for THG after an anonymous coach turned in a used syringe containing the substance. USADA retested 350 samples from the US track and field championships in June at Stanford, as well as 100 samples from random out-of-competition tests. The athletes who tested positive for THG have not been identified pending analysis of their B samples. Some non-American athletes are also reportedly involved.
