Hendricken begins defence fightback

IRISH athlete Geraldine Hendricken last night called for the immediate opening of the ‘B’ sample from the drugs test which has alleged use of a banned performance-enhancing substance.

In a brief statement last night, the 1,500m runner said she would be travelling to London to be present for the examination of the second sample. She also confirmed she will be sending her vitamin supplements away for immediate investigation.

The declaration came after a day spent with her legal advisers in Dublin. It is believed Hendricken will base her plea of innocence against charges of a positive drug test on the belief the vitamin supplements she was taking may have been contaminated.