LONDON. Api 2 (Reuters/1 nternet) : The leading Olympic sports of cycling and athletics were rocked

bv fresh drugs scandals on Thursday only 18 months away from the Sydney Gaines.

In Belgium, riders in the Mapei team were dragged from the De Panne three-day race and questioned over the discovery of banned amphetamines. They were later cleared but an Italian massueur is still being held in custody.

Across the border in Lille. France. French cycling federa-tion (FFC) chief Daniel Baal was charged in connection with last year's series of drugs raids in the Tour de France.

And the world governing athletics body confirmed in Monaco that US 400 metres hurdles champion Bryan Bronson had tested positive for a steroid last year and was suspended pending an investigation by his national authority.

Riders in the Mapei team, including race leader and Belgian champion Tom Steels, were forced to follow police who halted the race two kms into the first leg of the split final stage.

The second leg. a 14 kms time trial, was staged without the Mapei rides who included world number one Michele Bartoli and former world champion Johan Museeuw.

The team's hotel rooms were searched by police and urine samples taken.

Belgian public prosecutor Louis Denecker told a news conference in Brussels later that the riders and management of the Mapei team had been cleared of doping allegations.

But he said the masseur from the Italian-Belgian team was still being held in custody in

connection with the discovery of five flasks of amphetamines.

"1 can already state that management of the Mapei group is not involved in this case." Denecker said. "The inquiry has made this clear.

"As far as the riders are concerned, they understand the situation very well because it is also important for them that they came out of this without

any reproach."

In IJ'le. Baal became the 13th person to be placed under investigation over the doping furore which threatens the future of France's leading sports event.

Judicial sources said he had been charged with "complicity in helping others to obtain and use illegal performance-enhancing substances".