Doping scandal rolls on

Sanderson: "Sport is so lucrative now - and that increases the pressures of competition"

A court in the United States will today start investigating a laboratory accused of supplying a banned drug to some of the world's leading athletes.

The British sprinter, Dwain Chambers, is one of over 20 athletes to have tested positive for the anabolic steroid, THG.

He is now awaiting the results of tests on a second sample.

Chambers has admitted testing positive, but denies knowingly taking the drug, saying he was told that nutritional supplements made by the Balco lab were legal.

On Breakfast today we examine scientific developments made in the detection of banned substances - and consider the pressures on athletes to use them.

We talked to the Olympic gold medallist and vice-chair of Sport England, Tessa Sanderson.

She called the latest doping scandal "absolutely incredible" and pointed out that using illegal drugs could also serve as a distraction for athletes, who fear detection.

She called for tough measures against athletes who "try to beat the system".

The BBC's Mike Sergeant went for an early-morning visit to Barnet Sports Centre in London.

He spoke to Olympic triple jumper Larry Achike, who pointed out the impact doping has on clean athletes.

"I hope it's a level playing field," he said. "Otherwise, what's the point of being up here this early?"

He also spoke to Larry's coach, Frank Attoh.

Earlier we talked to Professor Geoff Goldspink, a molecular biologist who is working with the International Olympic Committee on ways of detecting drugs.

He explained that he and his colleagues "do have incredibly sensitive testing technologies" but that the problem is new forms of drugs which are developed to evade detection.

He illustrated the personal nature of the bitter tug-of-war between those developing and those trying to track new drugs with an anecdote: "Someone emailed me last week with a challenge - 'whatever test you come up with, we'll get round it'."

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Top British sprinter Dwain Chambers has admitted testing positive for a banned drug but denied knowingly taking it.

Chambers' lawyer said the sprinter had failed an out-of-competition test for the banned steroid THG on 1 August.

A statement by Chambers said this was not "a wilful or calculated attempt on his behalf to deceive the authorities".

The statement added that in eight years in competition, Chambers has "never been tempted to succumb to illegal methods of performance enhancement".

Chambers faces a minimum two-year ban if the "B" test confirms the discovery in his urine sample of THG (tetrahydrogestrinone), a newly-discovered drug that is rocking the world of athletics.

Chambers' lawyer Graham Shear added that "the IAAF (athletics' governing body) and UK Athletics' procedure is still to provide any conclusive decision".

Future on brink

If found guilty, Chambers faces a minimum two-year ban from international competition.

Under British Olympic Association rules, Chambers would also be barred from Olympic participation for life.

Chambers' statement said that his trainer, Remi Korchemny, had instructed him to use as his nutritionist Victor Conte of Balco Laboratories - the company at the centre of the THG scandal.

It added that when Chambers heard of his positive test, he had challenged Conte, who had assured him "that all supplements given were within IAAF rules".

Dwain would never take drugs. They are talking about someone else Lascell Golding Stepfather What is tetrahydrogestrinone?

Chambers' lawyer added: "I understand that Mr Conte continues to deny that the supplements he prepared for my client and other athletes contain any illegal substances. This is a serious matter that the US authorities are investigating."

Chambers' step-father, Lascell Golding said: "Dwain would never take drugs. They are talking about someone else.

"He is always careful about what he is doing. He wouldn't take anything for his cold unless he is 100% sure."

THG came to the attention of the athletics authorities when an anonymous coach turned in a used syringe containing the substance.

Until last week it was thought to be undetectable by normal dope tests.

But is believed that up to 20 American athletes tested positive for the drug at June's US championships.

The IAAF has said that anyone found guilty would face serious consequences.

Steroid appeal

Under American athletics' rules, the athletes in question have not been identified pending analysis of their B samples.

Anabolic steroids can improve the body's capacity to train and compete at the highest level.

They reduce the fatigue associated with training and the time required to recover after physical exertion.

They also promote the development of muscle tissue in the body, with an associated increase in strength and power.