DORSET'S athletes and sportsmen have reiterated their support for random drug tests after it was revealed British tennis star Greg Rusedski had tested positive for a banned drug.

The Canadian-born 30-year-old British number two sent shock waves around the sporting world when he admitted in a statement that he had tested positive to "a low concentration of nandrolone metabolites".

But the British number two later declared: "I wish to make it clear that I do not and never have taken performance-enhancing drugs."

Rio Ferdinand was banned for eight months by the FA for failing to turn up to a random drugs test and top British Athlete Dwain Chambers also tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid THG.

Dorset Olympic swimmer Karen Legg was fined £184 two years ago when random drug testers were unable to find her in the designated 24-hour period.

She said: "It is a shame. I like to think everyone is innocent. I hope he is innocent. I think he has got to be a fool if he has taken something."

"You have got to be so careful. Everything you take, whether it be antibiotics or for a cold, you always have to check."

"Drug testing is a good thing. I get tested quite often in and out of competition and I know from my own experiences when I missed a drugs test and got fined £184.

"It is a bit harsh but if they get people who are taking drugs it is a good thing. It is the Olympics year and there might be a lot of people taking drugs. I think the British athletes are pretty clean."

AFC Bournemouth players are regularly visited unannounced at the ground and training sessions for drug testing. The tests are carried out by UK Sport officials and a representative from the FA.

Wade Elliott, AFC Bournemouth Professional Footballers' Association representative, said: "Everybody at the club is used to be drug-tested regularly and it is something we just take for granted and accept.

"We have all been brought up being randomly drug-tested and all the lads know how important they are to make sure everyone is on an even playing field."