Drug scandal involves Salinas' Calvin Harrison

Mercury News

Another prominent track-and-field name has surfaced in the sport's ``other'' drug scandal. U.S. Olympic 4x400-meter relay gold medalist Calvin Harrison reportedly has tested positive for the banned stimulant modafinil. The positive test came from a drug test conducted during the summer, sources told Reuters.

Harrison becomes the third American to test for modafinil. Union City sprinter Kelli White, who tested positive in August, risks losing two gold medals she won at the World Championships in Paris. White, who trains with East Bay coach Remi Korchemny, claims that she was given the drug to combat the sleeping disorder narcolepsy. American hurdler Chris Phillips, who uses Korchemny as a consultant, also tested positive.

Harrison, according the various track Web sites, has been a member of ZMA Track Club -- which was formed by Korchemny and Victor Conte, the nutritionist and owner the Burlingame laboratory that is currently under investigation as the possible source of a new designer steroid. Calvin Harrison and his twin brother Alvin both were track stars at North Salinas High.

The positive test, if confirmed by a second sample, could put in jeopardy the United States' 4x400 gold medal at the World Championships because Calvin Harrison ran the opening leg on the Americans' winning team.