Sporting Digest: Athletics

UK Athletics is backing an investigation into the recent spate of positive tests for the banned steroid nandrolone, with the support of UK Sport. The national body intends to take a leading role in research into supplements, metabolites and haematology. The International Amateur Athletic Federation may provide an initial grant of pounds 32,000 towards the cost of the research.

In Lausanne yesterday, plans for a world anti-doping agency were given European Union backing after the EU sports commissioner, Viviane Reding, met the International Olympic Committee president, Juan Antonio Samaranch.