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| Devis Licciardi |
A popular athlete was accused of using a fake private part in order to pass his drug test.
Athletes have taken unusual steps to try to hide their doping, but Devis Licciardi seems to have gone a step further.
The 27-year-old is accused of using an artificial penis to try to beat a post-race test for banned substances.
The runner, who had just finished a 10 kilometer road race, allegedly hid the device in his underwear and tried to divert uncontaminated urine through it for a doping sample.
Licciardi told a doctor he wanted to be alone during the test, but his request was denied, and he was trapped.
The long distance runner with the Italian Air Force team, will be questioned by Olympic officials in Rome on Wednesday.
He faces a long ban if found guilty of trying to beat the test.
"An investigation has been launched and Devis Licciardi will appear before a doping disciplinary panel,” the Italian National Olympic Committee said.
Fake penises and uncontaminated urine bags can easily be purchased on the Internet.