All the athletes tested positive for CERA (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator), the new generation of the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO), for which a test was developed only recently.

International cycling president Pat McQuaid said the naming of the Italian athlete by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) was wrong.

"CONI have broken the rules and it is disgraceful. It is an international matter and in such circumstances, it is up to the UCI to open disciplinary proceedings," McQuaid told said.

MEDALS STRIPPED

The athletes, some of whom have yet to be publicly named, can now ask to have the B samples tested in their presence.

If the B samples are positive, then the athletes face two-year suspensions if they are first time offenders and possible life bans if they have been caught cheating before, like Schumacher.

Ramzi and Rebellin could also have their medals stripped and all six could be banned from the 2012 London Olympics if their international federations, responsible for any sanctions, ban them for any period longer than six months.

The new rule was introduced by the IOC prior to the Beijing Olympics as yet another deterrent to drugs cheats, as was the storing of samples for eight years to allow re-testing once new methods of detecting banned substances are developed.

The IOC conducted close to 950 re-tests of samples, focusing mainly on endurance events in cycling, rowing, swimming and athletics.

"Of 948 samples that were analysed, seven resulted in an adverse analytical finding (AAF) concerning six athletes," the IOC said in a statement on Tuesday.

... contd.