USOC Confirms Positive Drug Tests

A Sacramento cyclist became the first U.S. athlete to test positive for the synthetic hormone EPO, U.S. anti-doping authorities said Tuesday.

Adham Sbeih, 30, tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance Aug. 26 at the U.S. Cycling Federation’s elite track national competition at Trexlertown, Pa., the U.S. Olympic Committee said.

Through his attorney, Sbeih issued a statement: “I have no idea at this time how or why I tested positive, and am investigating all possible causes.”

The announcement was made as the USOC also confirmed positive tests by six track and field athletes for either the designer steroid THG, the stimulant modafinil or both. News accounts had previously identified the six track athletes.

All seven athletes are disputing their cases, the USOC said. USOC confirmation of several other positive tests is expected soon.

EPO boosts red blood cell production, thus enabling athletes to train longer and harder. Before the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it was reputed to be the cheaters’ drug of choice -- particularly in endurance events -- because until then it had been undetectable.

In October, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced the discovery by scientists at the UCLA doping lab of THG, or tetrahyrogestrinone, which had also been undetectable.

Modafinil is a prescription drug used to treat narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder, and it is not clear why a rash of modafinil positives showed up at last summer’s elite track events.

A federal grand jury in San Francisco is investigating Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO, believed by the USADA to be the source of THG. The Burlingame lab’s founder, Victor Conte, has denied wrongdoing.

Athletes named Tuesday by the USOC:

* Kelli White, 26, of Union City, Calif., winner of the 100- and 200-meter sprints at the world track and field championships last summer in Paris. White tested positive twice for modafinil, on June 20 at the U.S. outdoor track and field championships at Stanford and at Paris on Aug. 24.

* Chrystie Gaines, 33, of Lithonia, Ga., sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. She tested positive June 20 at Stanford. Gaines won gold in the women’s 400-meter relay at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.

* Sandra Glover, 34, a four-time U.S. champion in the women’s 400-meter hurdles who finished second at Paris. Glover, of Sugar Land, Texas, tested positive for modafinil at Stanford on June 21.

* Chris Phillips, 31, of Little Rock, Ark. A hurdler, he tested positive for modafinil at Paris on Aug. 30.

* Eric Thomas, 30, of Houston, tested positive for modafinil at Stanford on June 22. Thomas is the 2003 U.S. outdoor 400-meter hurdles champion.

* John McEwen, 29, of Ashland, Ohio, a hammer thrower, tested positive for modafinil and THG at Stanford on June 20.

Four U.S. athletes are believed to have tested positive for THG, along with British sprinter Dwain Chambers. News accounts have identified two of the other three U.S. athletes, distance standout Regina Jacobs and shotputter Kevin Toth.

Some in track believe that a particular stimulant can hide steroid use. The connection, if any, between modafinil and THG is not known.