IAAF official accuses US of drug cover up

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London: The International Amateur Athletic Federation's (IAAF) doping chief accused the United States on Thursday of covering up drugs cases among their own athletes, saying 10 or 12 had tested positive over the last two years.

In an interview with British television's 'Channel 4 News', Arne Ljungqvist said, "There are laboratory reports that have gone to the (American athletics governing body) USATF which we have never heard of and which they have dealt with and decided to exonerate without us knowing."

Ljungqvist, speaking to 'Channel 4' at the Olympic Games in Sydney, said there had been "10 or 12 over the last one or two years". 'Channel 4' said the drugs had been detected at a laboratory in Indianapolis. Scientists there had passed their findings on to USATF but the results had gone no further.

"We want to know what is going on," Ljungqvist said. But USATF executive officer Craig Masback denied any cover up, saying the Americans had given the IAAF details of every case going back five or six years.

He said they had been given a full report on "every case of any sort"."I can't imagine why they are confused," Masback told 'Channel 4 News'.

(c) Reuters Limited.