Swimming: U.S. coach says Sydney Games not drug-free

The head coach of the United States swimming team said has that he is convinced some swimmers at the Sydney Olympics were using performance-enhancing drugs.

Richard Quick said he could not name individuals or teams he suspected of cheating but said that he was dismayed at the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) existing drug testing procedures.

"I absolutely do not think this is a drugs-free Olympics," Quick said.

"And I'm disappointed in the quality and frequency of testing that is done by the governing body of the Olympics.

"I'm not pointing the finger at anybody or any nation here but I'm going on intuition."

Quick said his suspicions had been raised by the number of world records being set at Sydney's International Aquatic Centre.

Four world records were set during the seven days of swimming at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Eleven world records have been set and another tied in the first five days at Sydney.

"I ask those people (the IOC) and challenge them to make it a number one priority to ensure the great performances we've seen at this meet don't have a shadow over them due to performance-enhancing drug possibilities," Quick added.

His views were not shared by some of the top competitors asked about drugs earlier on Wednesday.

Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands, who set world records in the semifinals of the 100 and 200 freestyle before winning gold in both events, said: "It's almost impossible to take drugs.

"We are swimmers and we have some rules. One of the rules is you don't take drugs."

American sprinter Gary Hall, who finished third behind van den Hoogenband in the 100 freestyle final, said: "You just can't accuse anybody whose swimming fast of being on drugs."