First high-profile drugs case hits Games

BEIJING (AFP) - Ukraine's heptathlon silver medallist Liudmyla Blonska has failed a drugs test, the IOC confirmed Wednesday as the first high-profile doping failure hit the Beijing Olympics on the 13th day.

The 30-year-old had failed her A sample and the result of the B sample would be known Thursday.

Blonska faced a lifetime ban if both samples prove positive after serving a previous suspension for taking stanozolol, the anabolic steriod used by disgraced sprinter Ben Johnson.

"There has been an adverse finding in her A sample against her (Blonska)," and IOC source told AFP.

International Athletics Federation president Lamine Diack confirmed an investigation was underway.

"The procedure is running. The B-sample will no doubt be opened today and a decision taken tomorrow."

If confirmed, Blonska would be the fifth athlete to test positive, although the previous four only involved one podium finisher - North Korean shooter Kim Jong-Su, a minor medallist.

Meanwhile Jamaican sprinter was Usain Bolt, fuelled by chicken nuggets and yam in his bid to be the first man in 24 years to win the Olympic sprint double on Wednesday.