Winter Olympics: Second positive test for marijuana

ANOTHER positive finding for marijuana has been reported in random tests at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, but the authorities have refused to identify the athlete or sport involved.

Last week the Canadian snowboarder Ross Rebagliati had a gold medal withdrawn when he tested positive but his medal was reinstated on appeal when it emerged that the International Skiing Federation and International Olympic Committee lack an agreement on banning marijuana.

Prince Alexandre de Merode, chairman of the IOC Medical Commission, said another positive test had been reported by laboratories used by the IOC. "We have chosen not to publicise it," he said. "At every Olympics, we have tests sent to laboratories for banned substances. These labs have to provide reliable results in 18 hours. One of the latest tests was positive for marijuana. It's not up to me to engage in value judgements."

The International Ice Hockey Federation said yesterday that it is investigating allegations that American players trashed their rooms at the athletes' village after they had been knocked out by the Czech Republic on Wednesday.