THE SIDELINES : Drugs Show Up in 10 Athletes

An East German laboratory conducting doping tests has discovered 10 athletes suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs in the first half of this year, the news agency ADN reported today.

The East German news agency said the results were based only on preliminary sampling that had not been subjected to a mandatory second testing when doping is suspected.

Four competitors tested positive at international events and six more at national meets, ADN said. It did not say where the events took place or which sports were involved.

The laboratory in Kreischa conducted 1,389 probes based on samples from athletes in the first six months of this year, ADN said.

ADN quoted laboratory officials as saying that they are not responsible for releasing the names of suspected athletes but that it was a matter for respective international federations.