Games drug cheats to escape jail

Athletes who test positive for banned substances during the Turin Olympics will be prosecuted under Italian law but will not face jail.

Doping is a criminal offence in Italy but the International Olympic Committee prescribes only non-penal sanctions.

In Italy, judges can waive sentences with jail terms of up to two years.

"If the athlete tests positive, the Italian court will intervene and there is no exception," said Italy's chief Olympic official Mario Pescante.

"Any athlete no matter what nationality will be submitted to Italian law.

"The maximum of penal sanctions [for such offences] is two years and [for offences] up to two years we do not [serve] prison time in Italy."

The Winter Olympics open in Turin on Friday.