Boldon tests positive for ephedrine

Former world champion and Olympic medallist Ato Boldon has tested positive to the banned stimulant ephedrine, the International Association of Athletics Federation announced on Saturday.

IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai told a press conference in Melbourne that Boldon, from Trinidad and Tobago, tested positive at a meet in the United States in May but would not be suspended because the offence only carries a warning.

"Yes, I can confirm...there was one positive, and a surprising result in May," Gyulai said. "And that is Ato Boldon.

"But that was not a two-year (ban) policy, it was a stimulant which caused disqualification from that particular competition and a public warning.

"The consequence of this is not suspension. It is just to cancel the result of the event there and publicly warn him."

Ephedrine is found in over-the-counter cold medications and some food supplements. Athletes who test positive to the mild stimulant are not suspended but are disqualified from the meet they were tested at.

Boldon, who won the 200 metres title at the 1997 world championships and won silver and bronze respectively for the 100m and 200m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was not immediately available for comment.

Gyulai said the IAAF would write to the Trinidad and Tobago athletics federation, notifying them of the test result but would not take any further action.

"It is in no way something where the blame is laid on the athlete," Gyulai said. "We outline to please be careful in the future."

Gyulai made the announcement on the eve of the IAAF Grand Prix finals in Melbourne. Boldon was not entered in the meet but did compete at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane this week, finishing fifth in Wednesday's 100m final before pulling out of the Thursday's 200m event.

Gyulai said he had not spoken to the 27-year-old Boldon but warned athletes to take greater care with food supplements.

"We have to take a look at these food supplements," Gyulai said. "Some of the substances are not being properly labelled."

"More and more often, quite clearly and credibly, we have come to the conclusion that athletes are saying that this is beyond their control.

"If you pay attention to IAAF language, we never say that the athlete is a bad guy, we always say that something, a forbidden substance, was found in the athlete's body."