Drug-Test Results Clear All U.S. Track Athletes

Apparently, no track and field athletes will be suspended from competing in the Olympic Games, even though between 6 and 10 failed drugs tests at the Olympic trials last month in Indianapolis.

A spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, Mike Moran, said Friday that all of the athletes involved tested positive for stimulants contained in over-the-counter cold medications or herbal teas and that hearings conducted so far have determined that the use was either pre-declared or inadvertent.

He said that some athletes informed officials before the competition that they were treating colds with medications that include ephedrine, a stimulant that is considered a banned substance by the International Olympic Committee.

“All of the positive tests are unrelated to (anabolic) steroids,” Moran said. “These positives came from the inadvertent use of things like nose drops. It doesn’t appear that there will be anyone disqualified.”

But the provision under which the athletes who did not pre-declare their use of a stimulant can avoid disqualification is unclear. According to the rules of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, which governs track and field, even athletes who have used banned stimulants inadvertently can be suspended for three months for a first offense.

Two U.S. track and field athletes, who have not been identified, were dealt three-month suspensions earlier this year, a U.S. track and field official said last month.

The USOC conducted the testing in Indianapolis. The first three finishers in each event and other athletes selected randomly were required to submit to testing.