NEW YORK, 22 April 2004 — Four US athletes who tested positive for the stimulant modafinil last year will be able to compete in the Athens Olympics in August after receiving the minimum possible sanction.

Sprinter Chryste Gaines and hurdlers, Sandra Glover, Eric Thomas and Chris Phillips received public warnings and disqualifications because the drug, used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness, was regarded as a minor stimulant at the time of the offenses.

The US Anti-Doping Agency has yet to consider the case of double world sprint champion Kelli White, who tested positive for modafinil at the Paris world championships last August.

Gaines, Glover and Thomas, who each competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, tested positive at last year’s US championships while Phillips was caught in Paris.

Their results at those meetings have been erased from the record books, including Phillips’ fifth place in the 110 meters hurdles in Paris. After White’s positive test the International Association of Athletics Federations classified modafinil, which had not previously been on the banned list, as a minor stimulant carrying a penalty of a public warning and disqualification.

However, starting from Jan. 1 this year, the World Anti-Doping Agency has ruled that modafinil is a serious stimulant carrying an automatic two-year ban.

Another four American athletes who tested positive for the designer steroid THG (tetrahydrogestrinone) last year are still waiting for the results of their appeals to the American Arbitration Association.

US shot put champion Kevin Toth, hammer thrower John McEwen, national women’s hammer champion Melissa Price and middle-distance runner Regina Jacobs tested positive for the drug at the US trials.

Jones to Compete in Long Jump in Gateshead

In London, triple Olympic champion Marion Jones will long jump for the first time in Britain at the Gateshead grand prix on June 27.

“The Olympic Games are only a few months away and although I haven’t made my final decision about which events I’ll compete in, jumping in Gateshead will give me a good opportunity to assess my long jump form,” Jones said in a statement released yesterday.

The 28-year-old American is still deciding whether to make a second attempt on an unprecedented five gold medals in the 100, 200, long jump, 4x100 meters relay and 4x400 relay at the Athens Games in August. Four years ago in Sydney she won gold in the 100, 200 and 4x400 relay and bronzes in the other two events.

Jamaica’s Bolt on Fast Track to Olympics

In Kingston, when the Jamaican track team begin their quest for medals later this year at the Athens Olympic Games, all eyes will be on one of the most talented male athlete to emerge from this island, Usain Bolt.

The 17-year-old Bolt, who broke the world junior 200 meters record two years ago, ran an amazing 19.93 seconds to the win the Carfta Games 200 meters in the Bahamas a week ago. He is excited about the prospect of being the youngest Olympic 200 meters champion.