Modahl nears end of the line

DIANE MODAHL'S attempt to win a review of her positive drug test through an IAAF appeal has been rejected by the Portuguese government.

Julio Miranda Calha, the Portuguese secretary of state for sports, informed the IAAF that his government backed a ruling made on Monday by their national anti doping council that no third test would be carried out for technical, scientific and juridical reasons.

The ruling cited International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations that only foresee two tests to determine doping. A third test would violate the IOC code of ethics for anti doping laboratories, he said.

"For us it's a closed case," Carlos Trigo, Miranda Calha's deputy, said. "We have informed the IAAF by letter and fax that we agree with the findings of the council."

The ruling is likely to cause; more controversy as the arbitration panel prepare to meet for a final ruling on the case of the British middle distance athlete. Modahl hopes to compete at this year's Atlanta Olympics.

"This is the last stage before the arbitration hearing. The reason for the third test was to try and put more evidence before the arbitration panel for them to reach the right judgment," an IAAF spokesman, Giorgio Reinieri, said.