Jones shocked by positive drugs test
Jones admitted her shock at news of positive drugs test
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Monday, 21, Aug 2006 09:38
American sprinter Marion Jones has admitted she was shocked to learn she had given a positive drugs test.
The former Olympic 100m champion tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) for a specimen given on June 24th.
Jones is now awaiting the results of the B sample and she could face a two-year ban from athletics if this comes back positive.
"I was shocked when I was informed about the positive A sample," Jones said.
"I have requested that the testing of my B sample be expedited and done as soon as possible."
The news of Jones' positive test is a further set-back to the image of USA athletics, especially coming so soon after Justin Gatlin's positive drugs test.
The 30-year-old has never been able to shake off her link to drug-taking, although she has never tested positive before.
She was linked to the BALCO laboratory scandal in 2002, which saw former 100m world-record holder Tim Montgomery banned for life, but was proved innocent.
Her husband, shot-putter CJ Hunter, has also been banned for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Meanwhile, the IAAF has confirmed that Gatlin will be stripped of his 100m world record if he is found guilty of taking drugs.
The American has always proclaimed his innocence but gave a positive sample three weeks before matching Jamaica's Asafa Powell's 9.77secs mark.