Team GB wrestler and Olympic hope Myroslav Dykun tests positive for drugs

British Wrestling have vowed to "come down hard" on Myroslav Dykun if his B test is positive for amphetamines.

British Wrestling confirmed this morning that Dykun - one of Team GB's most promising medal hopes for the London 2012 Olympic Games - has been suspended after testing positive for amphetamines.

The 29-year-old Commonwealth Games champion will now undergo a B test, the results of which are expected to be known in two weeks' time.

Should the Greco-Roman wrestler's second test come back positive, he can expect to receive at least a two-year ban, in line with current guidelines for British athletes.

"We would have rather this news emerge at the conclusion of the UK Anti-Doping agency process, but suffice to say our organisation will come down hard on the wrestler, as we will any wrestler who takes drugs," British Wrestling chief executive Colin Nicholson said.

"It goes without saying that we are extremely disappointed. As an organisation, British Wrestling does not, and will not, tolerate any such behaviour from a member of our organisation."

Dykun has been suspended from competition and has had all his funding cut pending the outcome of the B test.

The Ukrainian-born wrestler, who came to Great Britain in 2003 originally as a sparring partner, has missed recent Olympic qualifying events in China and Bulgaria and will also be absent from this week's qualifier in Helsinki.

Dykun, who competes in the 66kg category, will miss London 2012 if he is found guilty of doping.

"British Wrestling can confirm that an A sample of a drugs test provided by Myroslav Dykun has proved positive. The drug is amphetamines," Nicholson confirmed earlier this morning.

"We are still waiting until such time as the athlete admits guilt or for the result of the B sample.

"We are working closely with the relevant authorities, and we fully support the drug testing programme put in place in this country.

"Indeed, that we are working so closely with them is evidence of our determination to root out anyone who uses banned substances, be it for recreational or performance enhancing purposes."

Dykun moved to Britain nine years ago as part of British Wrestling's controversial initiative to get eastern European athletes to help homegrown wrestlers develop into medal prospects. Britain's last Olympic medal in the sport came in 1984 when Londoner Noel Loban won bronze.

British Wrestling insisted that the athletes would only be sparring partners, but the organisation performed a U-turn and permitted them to compete for Britain.

The move caused outrage amongst British wrestlers who were determined to compete at London 2012, and the foreign imports, some of whom do not have passports, have been labelled 'Plastic Brits'.

British Wrestling will decide the make-up of their team for the Olympics on May 10.

UK Anti-Doping confirmed a British athlete had been provisionally suspended but said they could not reveal identities until the case was proved.

UK Anti-Doping director of legal Graham Arthur said: "We are progressing a case relating to a possible anti-doping rule violation.

"The matter is subject to confidentiality restrictions imposed by the anti-doping rules, and as such we are unable to comment further. "

Arthur added: "We want to make it clear that there is no place for athletes seeking to dope in sport. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the rights of clean athletes in the run-up to London 2012 and beyond."

PA