World title athletes test positive

Several athletes who competed in the world championships in August have tested positive for the new designer steroid THG, a spokesman for the International Association of Athletics Federation said today.

Re-testing on 400 urine samples taken during the championships in Paris were not yet complete, but with about 75 per cent of the results now in "a very small number" had tested positive for the previously undetectable drug.

The final number will be announced on tomorrow at an IAAF meeting in Berlin but no names would be given. Five athletes tested positive for the drug, while four have yet to be officially confirmed.

Meanwhile, Darren Campbell claims fellow British sprinter Dwain Chambers is not solely to blame for testing positive for THG.

Chambers was suspended by the IAAF earlier this month after his B sample, like his original A sample, tested positive. He is facing the prospect of a minimum two year ban.

Chambers maintains his innocence and Campbell said: "I wouldn't say Dwain is solely to blame. Other people are accountable."