Christie asked for proof

Linford Christie once ruled the track

Linford Christrie has been told to prove his claims that urine samples, which tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone, were mishandled.

Christie, whose test results after running at an indoor meeting in Dortmund in February 1999 registered 200 nanograms - almost 100 times greater than the permitted two per millimetre - made his accusation in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

I am sure what he (Christie) has said will be something the hearing will want to listen to

IAAF media director Giorgio Reineri

The now retired sprinter said the tester took it home, left it in the car overnight, put it in a fridge, then on a balcony, then back in the fridge, before sending it to the lab three or four days after taking the sample.

But the International Amateur Athletics Federation's (IAAF) media director Giorgio Reineri said Christie needed to provide evidence.

"I have never heard that before," he said.

"I am sure what he (Christie) has said will be something the hearing will want to listen to.

"His lawyers must fetch that with all the other evidence to the meeting and it is for the panel to decide whether to accept it."

The IAAF referred Christie's case to its own drugs arbitration panel, despite a UK Athletics (UKA) finding that the ex-sprinter did not have a case to answer in relation to the charges.

The IAAF panel will meet in Monaco from 6-9 July to consider the case, as well as those of sprinter Doug Walker and 400m hurdler Gary Cadogan, also found not guilty by UKA of nandrolone offences.

All three athletes were suspended from competition in February until their fates are decided by the IAAF, who themselves are studying the causes of the sudden explosion of nandrolone cases.