The Irish Times Friday, August 17, 2001 Italian marathon runner Roberto Barbi has failed a dope test and been immediately suspended by his federation, the Italian athletics federation said today. Barbi, a recent participant at the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, underwent tests on urine and blood samples prior to the Canadian showpiece on July 30th. He competed in the marathon, coming 60th in a time of 2hr 35min 55sec. The Italian federation have refused to say which drug was found in Barbi's 'A' sample, although Italian press agency ANSA have reported that it could concern endurance-enhancer erythropoietin (EPO). An analysis of his 'B' sample will be made in the near future although no date has been fixed. Barbi becomes the second Italian in a matter of days to hit the headlines for failing a dope test. On Wednesday it was reported that Italian 800m runner Andrea Longo failed a dope test, for the banned steroid nandrolone. The 26-year-old policeman, a medal hope at the Worlds before withdrawing with a foot injury, returned a "non-negative" result after being tested at a meeting in Turin on June 9th. Italian athletics authorities notified world governing body IAAF of the result on August 3rd. Results from further tests on the athlete's 'B sample' will be known in September. Eamonn Condon www.RunnersGoal.com
