A three-member US arbitration panel has failed to reach a decision on world 100 metres champion Torri Edwards's positive test for a banned stimulant.
The American sprinter faces a ban of up to two years if found guilty of a doping violation by the panel. That would make her ineligible for next month's Olympics and would be a major blow to the US team.
"The arbitration panel has a tough job and it made a real effort in reviewing the case," her agent, Emanuel Hudson said after the hearing in Costa Mesa, California. "I expect the decision is going to be quick."
Edwards attended Monday's four-and-a-half hour hearing and spoke to the panel.
The sprinter, who is considered a medal contender in the 100 and 200 metres and the 4x100 metres relay at the Games, tested positive for the banned stimulant nikethamide at a meeting in Martinique in April.
Under anti-doping rules that came into effect in March, Edwards will be banned for two years unless the panel rules her use of the stimulant was inadvertent.
She then could receive a lesser penalty, including a public warning that would allow her to compete in the Olympics. Edwards said in an interview last week that the use was inadvertent. She said she had been given glucose tablets at the
meeting by her physical therapist, who did not know they contained nikethamide.