Barnes, Mitchell face drug rap

Barnes, who could face a life suspension, was tested in Charleston, West Virginia, and Mitchell in Gainesville, Florida.

The International Amateur Athletic Federation IAAF did not officially announce the suspensions, and the precise terms of the punishment have yet to be determined.

These are two of the biggest suspensions in track and field, following Ben Johnson at the 1988 Olympics, Butch Reynolds in 1990 and Mary Slaney in 1997.

IAAF spokesman Giorgio Reneiri said today from Monaco that Barnes and Mitchell tested positive during out-of-competition samples. So far, only the a sampleshave been tested, Reneiri said. However, that is sufficient for the IAAF to levy a suspension.

If their B samples are positive, the IAAF will then rule on the severity of the punishment pending a hearing by USA Track amp; Field. If the B sample is negative, they are cleared.