THE CHANCES of Newport sprinter Christian Malcolm having his world championship silver medal taken off him look to be increasing with the news that Dwain Chambers may have failed a second test at this year's competition in Paris.

Malcolm was staying tight-lipped last night refusing to talk about the Chambers situation.

But Chambers is currently waiting to appear before an independent UK disciplinary committee after banned steroid THG was detected in his A and B samples after an out-of-competition test in Saarbrucken on August 1.

If found guilty by the committee, Chambers is likely to be suspended for two years and the other three sprinters in the 4x100m sprint relay team that won silver at Paris in August.

The IAAF and UK Athletics have refused to comment on claims that Dwain Chambers tested positive for THG at the World Championships.

Two athletes tested positive for the substance after retests were ordered on all 402 samples given during the event.

Only two were found to be positive for THG and the IAAF has informed the separate governing bodies involved of the results.

IAAF media director Nick Davies said: "At this point I cannot confirm it is Dwain Chambers. Any announcement must come from UK Athletics."

A spokeswoman for UK Athletics said: "We cannot confirm the results of any drugs tests under our confidentiality rules.

"We can only comment after the B test or if the athlete reveals he has tested positive."