Police arrest discus coach in possession of drugs

Finnish police are investigating leading Finnish discus coach Kari Mattila who was seized at home with large quantities of banned performance-enhancing drugs.

"We are investigating the case," a senior Finnish central criminal police officer told Reuters.

Possession of banned drugs is a criminal offence in Finland.

Mattila is the former coach of Timo Tompuri who took part in qualifying on the first day of the world championships yesterday.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said Mattila could face sanctions.

"We will await a report from the Finnish federation," he said.

Finnish team leader Jarmo Makela said on Friday he was aware there had been a police investigation.

"It is important to keep in mind that Kari Mattila has no official connections to the Finnish athletics federation."

Finnish team spokesman Mika Noronen said Tompuri had been tested several times this year.

Noronen also said Mattila had no official links to the Finnish team and that he had not been Tompuri's coach since the end of the 2004 athletics season.

Finnish public broadcaster YLE said on Friday police had wanted to keep the investigation on hold until after the world championships.

An annual athletics competition is to be held at Ancient Olympia in Greece.

The men's and women's shot put competitions were staged at Ancient Olympia during last year's Athens Olympics. They were the first contests since the original Games were abolished in 369.

The IAAF said the first competition would be held in May, 2006. He said the events would probably be restricted to the shot put, discus and hammer because of possible damage to the protected site.