Top British sprinter Dwain Chambers has tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid THG, according to a report in today's Guardian.
The 100metres star, Britain's main hope for a gold medal at the Athens Olympics, could be punished with a two-year suspension if the B sample also proves to be positive for tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).
The 26-year-old Londoner could face a life ban if it is felt there was a conspiracy with others to cheat the system. THG has been described as a "designer" steroid which was capable of passing undetected by old testing methods.
However, a new test to detect THG has been formulated in the United States and samples are being re-examined retrospectively, with up to 20 American track and field stars reported to have tested positive for THG.
The International Association of Athletics Federations [IAAF] have announced that they will retest all 400 samples taken from competitors at the World Championships in Paris in August.
The test which detects THG is set to be introduced in Britain "in a matter of days". Michelle Verroken, UK Sport's director of drug-free sport, is eager for the new screening method for THG [tetrahydrogestrinone] to be brought in as soon as possible.
"We believe the detection method could be with us in a matter of days and then it's a matter of focusing resources on the actual analysis of samples," she told BBC Radio Five Live.
It only came to light when a drugs whistleblower sent a syringe containing the substance to the independent United States Anti-Doping Agency which immediately re-tested hundreds of samples.
The president of UK Athletics Lynn Davies insisted it was a distressing situation but that cheats must be rooted out of the sport.
"Sadly, again, the perception of our sport is suffering," he said. "But I would rather have this out in the open. If athletes are found to have taken performance enhancing drugs then they should be banned for two years even if they are British although there has been no indication of that.
"I find it quite sad that the spotlight is again on athletics with only 40 weeks left to the Athens Olympics.
"There are so many good people in the sport and the people who take drugs are a minority but the positive we can take from this is that they will be found out."