Nine Australian athletes fail doping test

SYDNEY - Nine unidentified Australian athletes have tested positive for the prohibited stimulant methylhexaneamine (DMAA), used in bodybuilding and dietary supplements.

The drug tests were believed to have been carried out during the Australian Football League and National Rugby League Grand Finals, as well as before and after the Delhi Commonwealth Games, the Age reports.

The positive results have prompted the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to send out an urgent warning to all sporting bodies.

“This spike in positive test results is a timely reminder to all athletes to exercise the utmost caution in checking the contents of supplements and other products they choose to use,” ASADA chief Aurora Andruska said.

DMAA was included on the global banned list last year, and carries a maximum two-year penalty.

Earlier this month, Nigerian sprinter Osayomi Oludamola was stripped of her Delhi Commonwealth Games 100m gold medal after testing positive to the banned stimulant.

The athlete had only been awarded the top prize after Australian Sally Pearson was disqualified for a false start. (ANI)