OLYMPICS / Barcelona 1992: Olympic Round-Up: Livingston given food for thought

DRUGS continue to be the dominant theme of Barcelona, but at least the epsiode of a Briton failing a test during the Games had a happy enough ending. Following a hearing at the International Olympic Committee's medical commission, the unnamed competitor has been exonerated.

Jason Livingston, of course, has not. The sprinter, who was sent home from the Games, issued a statement yesterday reiterating his innocence. 'The finding of methandianone in my sample is still a complete mystery and shock to me. I am currently taking legal advice and all aspects of the test are being looked at to see where a mistake could have occurred,' he said.

The allegations that Gwen Torrence, the American sprinter, made after both the 100 and 200 metres finals continue to reverberate. The International Amateur Athletic Federation has called on the United States Olympic Committee for an inquiry and a written report. Torrence yesterday apologised for her charges. 'I have not accused specific athletes of cheating but my personal opinions have come across perhaps too strongly,' she said.

One of the people Torrence was most bitter about, Katrin Krabbe, has agreed to co-operate fully with the federation's inquiry into her taking of clenbuterol.

But one answer to the problem could be being handed to the IOC on a plate. Pasta and potatoes. A team of nutritionists, led by Clyde Williams, a professor of sports science at Loughborough University, is lobbying the IOC to support their campaign for more research into the sporting benefits of diet.