Athletes have taken unusual steps to try to cover up their doping, but Devis Licciardi seems to have gone the furthest.
The 27-year-old is accused of using an artificial penis to try to beat a post-race test for banned substances.
The runner, who had just completed a 10km road race, allegedly hid the device in his underwear and attempted to siphon uncontaminated urine through it for the doping sample.
Licciardi told a doctor he wanted to ‘be alone’ while urinating but was refused permission and caught out.
The long-distance runner with the Italian air force team, will be questioned by Olympic officials in Rome today.
He faces a lengthy ban if found guilty of trying to cheat.
‘An investigation has been launched and Devis Licciardi will appear before an anti-doping disciplinary panel,’ said the Italian National Olympic Committee.
Licciardi had a poor season before the test, which happened after the race in Molfetta, southern Italy.
The incident echoes a scene in the comedy film Withnail And I, when the main character tries to beat a urine test after drink-driving by using ‘unadulterated child’s piss’.
Fake penises and bags of uncontaminated urine are easily available on the internet.
