US admits to two more 'positives'

The head of the United States track and field team, Craig Masback, said on Monday he knew of at least two more Americans who had failed drugs tests.

Earlier, the International Amateur Athletics Federation announced that U.S. shot putter C.J. Hunter had tested positive for nandrolone.

Masback said the tests did not involve any athletes at the Sydney Olympics.

He said the two athletes, whom he did not identify, had appealed on grounds that the positive readings were the result of taking medicines for head colds.

"I do believe that there are tests in the system," Masback said.

"I can say categorically that they do not involve any athlete on the U.S. Olympic team. No one competing here is subject to the process for a positive test."

Hunter, husband of Olympic 100 metres gold medallist Marion Jones, tested positive for nandrolone at an athletics meeting in Oslo in July, the IAAF said.

It said his case would be investigated by the U.S. Track and Field body.

The 31-year-old world champion pulled out of the Sydney Olympics before the start of the Games citing a knee injury.

Hunter issued a statement through American broadcaster NBC saying: "I know what's going on and I am aware of the allegations and am going to defend myself vigorously."

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