Boulami denies drug charge

Boulami shattered his previous record in Zurich

World record holder Brahim Boulami has denied taking any banned substances.

The Moroccan said he was 'shocked' at the news he had tested positive for erythropoietine (EPO).

I have not taken and never will take EPO or any other banned substance

Brahim Boulami

The test was conducted the day before he bettered the 3000m steeplechase world record in Zurich on 16 August, clocking a time of 7min 53.17sec.

"It was a terrible shock for me, especially because I am wrongfully accused," Boulami told the official Moroccan press agency MAP.

"How can I be accused of taking a banned substance when I regularly undergo medical tests, the number of which have multiplied since I first beat the world record last year?"

Boulami also vowed to prove his innocence, adding: "I'll wait for the result of the other (B sample) test and I am willing to undergo all kinds of tests.

EPO test almost obsolete

"I have not taken and never will take EPO or any other banned substance."

The Moroccan was one of the top names entered in Friday's Golden League meet, planning a new attack on his world record.

He had already broken the record at the Van Damme last year. The runner immediately cancelled his participation in Friday's meet.

Boulami had also been scheduled to run at the World Cup in Madrid next month.