Athletics: Fears Over New Designer Steroid

The World Anti-Doping Agency's director general said last night that the agency's scientists are on the verge of unmasking another designer anabolic steroid.

"We have another substance which we are analysing now, which we think will be another designer drug," said David Howman. "We are catching it earlier. We are catching it before it goes into the market."

The detection of the drug - of which no details have yet been released- is another significant victory for the dope-busters. In 2003, following a tip-off from an anonymous coach, scientists at the University of California identified tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and developed a test for it.

The Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative in San Francisco was allegedly distributing THG and its discovery sparked the biggest drugs scandal in sports history, involving some of the United States' top players of baseball and American football.

Several top athletes have also been implicated in the affair, including Britain's European 100 metres champion Dwain Chambers, who was banned for two years after testing positive for THG in 2003.

Among other athletes who have admitted using THG to a Californian grand jury are Kelli White, the world 100m and 200m champion, and Tim Montgomery, the world 100m record holder.

In February Wada announced the discovery of desoxy-methyl-testosterone (DMT), after another anonymous tip-off. It is unclear how it came to learn about the latest drug.

Derek Dueck, a club sprinter from Calgary who had never represented his country, was later fined C$3,000 (£1,300) in a court in Alberta after being apprehended trying to smuggle DMT over the border from the United States.