Retired British sprinter Allan Wells has been accused of doping around the time of his famous Olympic gold medal triumph in Moscow in 1980.
The allegations were made in a BBC investigative documentary, which based its claims on sworn testimony from three sources, including former Great Britain team doctor Jimmy Ledingham.
The broadcaster claims to have uncovered evidence that Ledingham supplied Wells with the anabolic steroid Stromba and gave him advice about how to avoid testing positive for drug use.
Former Commonwealth gold medallist Drew McMaster - who who admitted to taking steroids himself in 1995 - recorded audio footage of conversations between himself and Ledingham, in which the team doctor claims that he supplied Wells with the substance.
Some of the recordings were obtained by the BBC and broadcast for the first time in its documentary.
Wells has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a "shocking slur" and "gossip of the vilest kind". He also insists that McMaster's past involvement with drugs discredits him as a source.
"I can look back with substantial pride on my individual achievements. None of these medals were achieved with the aid of illegal performance-enhancing substances. Training, exceptional coaching and a dedication and desire to win were my only driving forces," he said.
Wells is one of only three British athletes to have won a gold medal in the men's 100m.
Mark Langshaw
