Top German coach found with banned steroid

MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) -- Thomas Springstein, the coach of several German world and Olympic track and field champions, is under investigation for providing a banned steroid to at least one young athlete, German track officials said Wednesday.

Police searched the house of Springstein, who has trained former 800 meter Olympic champion Nils Schumann and 100 meter world champion Katrin Krabbe, and found medical substances containing the anabolic steroid undecanoate.

A press release from SC Magdeburg said the 46-year-old is believed to have given the drug to some members of a group of athletes he was training for the club.

"The accused is suspected of administering medical preparations with banned doping substances to members of his training group, some of whom are still youths, to increase their performances," the statement said.

The German track federation refused to comment on reports the investigation centered on one young female athlete in the group who has since been dismissed by SC Magdeburg.

The ages of the athletes involved have not been released.

Springstein, who was embroiled in the doping scandal that surrounded 1991 world champion Krabbe and two-time 400 European champion Grit Breuer, could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

Springstein's career appeared to be over after he served an 11-month suspended sentence following Krabbe and Breuer's positive tests for the banned substance clenbuterol following the 1991 world championships.

Krabbe, who won gold in both the 100 and 200 meters, retired, but Springstein's career was revived by the strong comeback of Breuer -- also his girlfriend -- after she served a 3 1/2 year suspension.

He won the German athletics federation coach-of-the-year honors after Breuer won silver in her marquee event at the 2002 European championships and gold in the 4x400 relay. She also led the relay team to gold during the 1997 world championships.

The German athletics federation said it filed a complaint with authorities before the Olympics on Aug. 2 after being tipped off by other athletes.

Springstein was not available for comment. He and Breuer are on vacation.