Paris, Aug 31: Double world sprint champion Kelli White could be stripped of her two gold medals from Paris after testing positive for a stimulant. The International Association of Athletics Federations, the sport's governing body, said it was investigating whether White committed a doping offence and should forfeit her victories in the 100 and 200 metres.
White, the first American to win both sprints at a world championship, could also face a two-year suspension. White's sample revealed traces of the substance modafinil, which stimulates the nervous system and combats tiredness. The substance is not on the banned list but is related to drugs that are prohibited, and is likely to be forbidden at next year's Olympic Games.

"Modafinil is being observed as a possible substance for the purpose of performance enhancement," said IAAF vice president Arne Ljungqvist, the federation's anti-doping chief.
White denied using any substance to enhance her performance.
She said she took medication - prescribed by her doctor, Brian Goldman of San Francisco - for a tiredness disorder called narcolepsy.
"I know I that I did nothing wrong and sought no advantage over my competitors," she said in a statement. "I am confident that things will work out in the end.

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"The mere fact of this allegation is personally harmful and hurtful," she added. "I have never taken any substance to enhance my performance."
She said she didn't seek a medical waiver or list the product on her doping control form because she had "no idea" it contained a banned substance.

"Given that it was not on the banned list, I think it is understandable why I didn't realize that I needed to declare it," White said.

IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai said the indications pointed towards the matter being ruled as a doping case, which would result in White's disqualification from the championships.
Ljungqvist said the IAAF told USA Track & Field to hold a hearing and take any disciplinary action, with the decision subject to final approval by the world body.

The outcome is unlikely to be decided before the end of the championships on Sunday.

White did not run for the USA in the women's 4x100m relay final on Saturday night where they were surprisingly beaten by France.
She previously served a six-month ban in France after a sample she provided at a meeting at Saint Denis in July 2002 showed traces of corticoid.

Corticoid is an anti-inflammatory steroid and White lacked a medical certificate, but the IAAF cleared her of any wrongdoing.

Bureau Report