Petranoff Allegedly Had Positive Drug Test

Tom Petranoff, a former world record-holder and U.S. Olympian in the javelin, is one of several South African track athletes and rugby players who have tested positive for banned substances, newspapers reported Friday.

Petranoff tested positive for a banned stimulant in 1989, according to an Amateur Athletic Union document published by several newspapers. South Africa will participate in the Barcelona Games next month, its first Olympic appearance in 32 years. Petranoff has taken South African citizenship and is expected to be selected for the Barcelona team.

Chris Hattingh, chairman of a committee investigating drug use in athletics, confirmed contents of the report, but said that because of “legal wrangling” between Petranoff and sports officials, the matter was dropped.

Petranoff, competing in Europe, said that his urine sample had been swapped with another athlete’s without his knowledge. Hattingh said that Petranoff had been drug-free in follow-up tests and remains eligible for the Olympic squad.