Edwards could still compete in Athens

World 100 metres champion Torri Edwards could still compete in next month's Athens Olympics despite failing a drugs test in Martinique last April.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) general secretary Istvan Gyulai told Reuters on Saturday the world governing body was anxious to reach a decision as soon as its three-man Doping Review Board received a report on the positive test for the banned stimulant nikethamide.

He added that, if the Board accepted Edwards's contention that she had ingested the substance inadvertently, she could be cleared to compete at the Games.

"We would hope to have a final decision well before Athens," Gyulai said. "There could be no sanction at all."

Edwards, 27, who inherited the world title when first-placed fellow American Kelli White admitted taking several performance-enhancing drugs, has denied knowingly taking drugs.

She said she was given glucose tablets by her physical therapist who had not realised they contained the stimulant.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency arbitration panel concluded there had been exceptional circumstances and referred the case to the IAAF's Doping Review Board.

Gyulai said nikethamide was regarded as a serious stimulant by the World Anti-Doping Agency and would result in an automatic two-year ban for any athletes testing positive.

However, he added that, if the board accepted Edward had not been at fault, there would be no sanction.

"If there is no significant fault, the sanction could be halved from two years," he added.

Edwards, who can still appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne if the IAAF does not rule in her favour, finished second in the 100 metres and third in the 200 at this month's U.S. trials.