Olympics: More positive drug tests expected at Athens

There will be more positive drugs tests at the Athens Olympic Games than in Sydney four years ago, the director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency David Howman said.

Banned drugs that were previously not able to be analysed now can be thanks to much improved testing methods, he said in Wellington.

However, some athletes would still show a lack of respect in the testing, and would be prepared to take the risk, Howman said.

He acknowledged there would probably be instances of medals presented that had to be given back, and he hoped most test results would be known before the Games ended.

At the last Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City there were positive tests that came well after the Games had ended, which was less desirable.

Howman, a New Zealander and now based in Montreal, said the greater likelihood of athletes who cheated being caught would hopefully result in a more even playing field in Athens.

He offered New Zealand track cyclist Sarah Ulmer as an example of those who would benefit as a result.

"I think the world understands Sarah is a clean, fair athlete," Howman said.

"You just have to look at her performances. They've gradually improved over the last few years, and she's now got a more level playing field to compete on, and it's improving."

In his address Howman said he was confident New Zealand was "okay" through the excellent work of Drug Agency chief executive Graeme Steel but he was less complimentary of Australia.

He said their handling of the scandal surrounding cycling was less than satisfactory, and the longer it dragged on the more it seemed "a cover up".

Howman said Australian officials were investigating something that had occurred in December, and it had taken till last month for an outcome.

He said that was not fair on the sport or on athletes about to go to Athens, and there was more to come.

He criticised Australia for destroying evidence, saying "that's not a good look".

"They've got a bit of work to do because they've been pretty good at taking pock shots at Chinese swimmers coming to their country," he said.

He described the Balco lab near San Francisco, which has been connected to numerous leading United States track and field athletes, as "a shocker".

World sprint champion Kelli White was among those suspended, and Howman said more would be "flushed out".

NZPA