Seven U.S. track, field athletes test positive for drugs

Sprint champion Kelli White and six other American athletes flunked drug tests this summer, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Tuesday.

White and five other track and field athletes tested positive for the banned stimulant modafinil. Hammer thrower John McEwen tested positive for modafinil and the newly discovered steroid THG, and cyclist Adham Sbeih tested positive for the endurance-boosting hormone EPO.

The USOC announced the test results after the substances were found in two urine tests from each of the athletes, and following a 30-day review of the tests by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

All seven athletes are appealing their test results, the USOC said in a news release from its base in Colorado Springs, Colo. Any suspensions or other penalties would come only after appeals.

White, of Union City, Calif., already faces the loss of two world championship gold medals because of modafinil use. The USOC said Tuesday that White also tested positive for modafinil at the national championships in June, when she also swept the 100 and 200 meters.