ATHLETICS: The Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) has received a formal request from solicitors representing Geraldine Hendricken to open the B-sample of her failed out-of-competition doping test. The A-sample was revealed to contain traces of the anabolic steroid, nandrolone.

The athlete had until noon yesterday to contact the AAI on the matter, seven days after the official notification of the failed doping test. Had she not contacted the federation within that period the case would not have been reviewed further, nor any appeal entertained.

On a date agreeable to the athlete and the AAI, within the next 21 days, the B-sample will be opened and assessed at the IOC-accredited laboratory in London.

The AAI will consult with the IAAF before making any ruling on the matter. The entire process is expected to take several weeks.

In the meantime, Hendricken is suspended from all competition. She also intends to get a full analysis of the exact contents of the legal food supplements she has used over the past year.

If her B-sample also contains nandrolone the IAAF will impose a two-year ban, even if Hendricken proves the substance was unwittingly consumed.