Athletics: Briton in drugs test row

GARY CADOGAN, the British International 400metres hurdler, is seeking an apology from the president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation for the breach of his confidentiality following an adverse doping result last autumn. The federation has included Cadogan's name in a list of 16 doping cases in its newsletter, listing the date of his test besides the words "pending hearing".

The 32-year-old Londoner produced a urine sample believed to have traces of the banned steroid nandrolone when he was tested out of competition on 28 November last year. UK Athletics' preferred procedure in such cases is not to release the name of any athlete facing a ban until the case has been determined by a disciplinary committee.

Cadogan's hearing date has yet to be arranged, although an independent drugs advisory committee has already ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with an investigation.

Cadogan's case, which is unknown to the public, has run in tandem with that of the European 200m champion, Doug Walker, who is suspended pending a disciplinary hearing which will take place in London on 26-27 July following a finding indicating the presence of nandrolone.

The independent drugs advisory committee, chaired by Michael Beloff QC, decided on 31 March that both athletes had a case to answer.

UK Athletics yesterday contacted the IAAF in an attempt to eradicate what appears to be a misunderstanding over policy between a national organisation and its parent federation.

"We want to be as fare to any athlete as we can," said the UK Athletics spokeswoman, Jayne Pearce, yesterday. "We don't want to give out names before a case has run its course, even though we were obliged to confirm Doug Walker's involvement when his name was mentioned by a newspaper. This is not in the rulebooks but it is a procedure we prefer to follow and we have contacted the IAAF to make that clear."

Cadogan's legal representatives, David Parry and Co, said in a statement that UK Athletics had no alternative but to confirm Cadogan's case following the breach of confidentiality by the IAAF when they published his name in their newsletter.

A statement pointed out that athletes facing drug charges were entitled to have the matter kept confidential "until there has been a proper lawful finding as to whether or not the athlete is guilty".

"Mr Cadogan is appaled at the IAAF's behaviour and is seeking an inquiry and an apology from the IAAF's president. Mr Cadogan is innocent and is satisfied that innocence will be proved before the appropriate tribunal in due course."

Cadogan made a break-through when he converted from the 400m flat to the 400m hurdles in 1993. For a time, it looked as if he would fill the gap left by Kriss Akabusi when he retired. His biggest achievement was a fourth place in the Commonwealth Games in 1994 after being second over the final hurdle.