The Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 29 October 2003 Tom Knight
The focus in the escalating American doping scandal shifted to Dwain Chambers's coach, Remi Korchemny, yesterday, as yet another of his athletes was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance. According to the Washington Post the American sprinter Chryste Gaines is the latest athlete to have tested positive for the stimulant, modafinil. Istvan Gyulai, generalsecretary of the International Association of Athletics Federations, said Korchemny could become the first coach to face sanctions - possibly a life ban - in a doping case. It is understood modafinil was found in the urine sample provided by Gaines at the US Championships in June. The samples collected at those championships were recently retested when the US Anti-Doping Agency uncovered the existence of a new, designer steroid called tetrahydrogestrinone, or THG. Gaines, 33, who enjoyed a late run of form during the season to win the 100 metres at the World Athletics Finals in Monte Carlo, would be the fourth athlete connected to Korchemny to have failed a drugs test. Chambers has tested positive for THG and the Americans Kelli White, Chris Phillips and Calvin Harrison for modafinil, a drug banned by the IAAF because it is categorised as being related to the family of stimulants. Phillips and Harrison said they were given modafinil by Korchemny. Phillips, who along with White tested positive at the World Championships, told the IAAF that he was given the drug just before his 110m hurdles semi-final. Gyulai said: "If what Phillips said is true, we will investigate because it is unacceptable for coaches to encourage athletes to take prohibited substances." Robert Wagner, Phillips's agent, said: "Everybody is taking something to be alert and awake. I've seen sprinters drink lots of coffee because it makes you sharper." Korchemny remained defiant. He said: "Modafinil is the same as aspirin or coffee - big deal. It was not on the list of banned substances." Eamonn Condon [EMAIL PROTECTED]
