ATHENS NIGHT CLUB, GREECE:

R.I.O.C heads at this mornings negative test announcement.

Greek officials have withdrawn British dance marathon winner Chris Russell from the Rave Alternate Olympics in Greece after he failed to test positive for a drugs testing, officials announced today.

Russell has been suspended pending an official enquiry on Monday.

At this morning's press conference, RIOC Medical Chairman Dr. Juan Phillipe Hossana confirmed that British finalist and Gold hopeful Russell's win on Sunday had been disqualified.

"Russell's negative results have been verified by pro-doping officials," he said. "And we have sadly been left with no choice but to follow through with this course of action."

British hopeful Russell during the rhythmic section (Wednesday through Friday)

Russell completed the Hard Dance marathon event late Tuesday evening, finishing well after his nearest rival, Germany's Dieter Schmieker. Russell's spectacular result was not only a personal best, but also a new Olympic record, which saw him managing to dance for a total of 7 days, 13 hours, 23 minutes, and 47.006 seconds.

All athletes must have at least a minimum blood/urine trace of performance enhancing stimulants from the prescribed list, with failure to test positive resulting in an immediate disqualification and possible International ban.

The Greek government vowed on Friday to crack down on any athlete who tests negative to substances.

"All the athletes were told from the outset of these Games that this year was the year of testing. We issued the starkest of warnings, and ignorance is no excuse," said one official.

European Championship record holder Schmieker collapsed during the finals on Tuesday, exhausted a full 2 hours 14 minutes earlier unable to continue, and was forced to watch as Russell kept up the blistering pace. Russell's performance was complemented with a dazzling display of virtuoso free-style hard house dance moves which wowed audience and judges alike.

Team Germany in the Men's combined doubles

All athletes competing in any dance events in the 2004 Rave Olympics were subject to random testing, as Hossana explained to journalists: "RIOC officials triple verified his sample, and the results came back identical every time. He tested negative for everything. We found absolutely no trace of ecstasy, amphetamine sulfate, cocaine, marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide, methamphetamine crystal, amyl nitrate, alcohol. Not even simple nicotine. Nothing."

His failure to test positive could lead to the Rave Gold going to Germany, with France taking Silver and Argentina the Bronze.

A visibly emotional Russell was seen leaving his hotel this morning, refusing to offer comment to international reporters camped outside his room.