Double world sprint champion Kelli White, who tested positive for a stimulant at the ninth World Athletics Championships last month, said today that she would fight to keep her medals.
The International Association of Athletics Federations said this week that it did not accept White's explanation for her positive test for modafinil and had referred the matter to the United States anti-doping agency.
White, who tested positive after winning the 100 metres final on August 24, said she took a prescribed medication to combat narcolepsy. A second test after the 200m final was clean.
If White is found guilty of a doping offence, she is liable to be disqualified and forced to give up both her gold medals.
"No way. No way. I'm still going to fight to keep the medals," White told CNN on Friday. "I still think there is a chance that I will be able to keep my medals.
"The damage to my reputation is done. I'd rather fight to keep my medals (and) ...if I can keep my medals then I'll be happy with that."
Modafinil, though not yet on the IAAF's banned list, is closely related to other drugs that are. White, the first American to win the 100-200 sprint double, is still able to compete at this weekend's IAAF World Athletics Final in Monaco.
"I'm in great shape and I have worked really hard to get where I am, so it will be a great disservice to myself not to consider running," the 26 year-old said.
