BANGKOK, Aug 15: A senior doping official at the World University Games on Wednesday has denied reports of positive drug tests from student athletes at the event.

Larry Rink, chairman of the International University Sport Federation (FISU) medical commission, rejected reports that had quoted him as saying that positive results had been found.

“We have completed 276 tests and I’m happy to say all tests to date have been negative,” he said. “There are no positive tests. I believe I was misquoted.” Rink took action after reports on Tuesday suggested that the University Games, now underway in Bangkok, had been rocked by positive results from doping tests.

“There are no positive tests. I strongly object to the term ‘scandal’ being used in the reporting,” he told a special media conference, flanked by a visibly annoyed Eric Saintrond, the FISU director general.

Rink had been quoted saying that there had been some positive results but that no more details would be made available until after any appeals were over.

The alleged comments caused a storm of controversy with the subject of drug cheats highly sensitive ahead of the Olympics next year.

Rink said: “If we do have a positive test or an adverse laboratory finding, we notify the athlete and they have the opportunity to have the B-sample tested in their presence.

“If the B-sample is positive, the athlete may appeal. It is only after the appeals process, which can take up to three months or more, that we can truly declare a positive test.”—AFP