Bermudian sprinter Troy Douglas is preparing to return to the track in Amsterdam next Saturday -- even though he has still not been cleared by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) following suspension for alleged steroid use last year.

Douglas was one of several athletes found to have the banned substance Nandrolone in his system, although he has always maintained his innocence. But while awaiting his `day in court' with the IAAF, Douglas has been given the all-clear to compete by the Dutch federation (KNAU) in the hope of forcing the hand of the sport's governing body.

Douglas, confident all along that his name would be cleared, had his hopes boosted further when Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey was told this week her two-year ban for steroid use had been lifted after an international track panel said the lab improperly tested her urine sample.

It has been suggested that food supplements and herbal preparations can trigger positive tests for Nandrolone and other banned substances. Nandrolone produced 343 positive tests in all sports around the world last year, according to official statistics.

"I'm a Cleveland County man, I'm always confident,'' said an upbeat Douglas from his home in Holland this week.

"I knew I was innocent and have nothing to hide.

"I'm not cleared until my case is heard by the IAAF and until then my hands are tied. They haven't given me a court date yet. They are just taking their time, it has taken them a year to come to a conclusion over Merlene Ottey.'' In the meantime, though, Douglas will return to action next weekend in a national meet as he keeps his sights on September's Sydney Olympics.

Douglas has reached the semi-finals of either the 200 metres or 400 metres at the last three Olympic Games while competing for Bermuda. But should he make the start line in Sydney, he will be running for Holland to whom he switched allegiance over two years ago.

"The federation just gave me the okay to compete so I will compete next weekend,'' said Douglas.

"I have done what's been asked of me by the federation and it's in the hands of the IAAF now. I've done as much as I can and the federation here in Holland have done as much as they can.

"They said `Troy, we're going to allow you to compete nationally because, within our laws, there is nothing the IAAF can do to you. We'll allow you to compete in Holland and if they have any arguments against that then they'll have to face us'.'' Added Douglas: "That's sort of the same thing that the German Federation and the Jamaican Federation did, saying to the IAAF that `if you have a problem with us, tell us'. In that way it speeds up the process.'' Douglas knows he has little time to prepare for the Olympics, which he admits would be his last.

"I want to go out in style, basically, and I'm just hoping and waiting for something good to come out of this,'' added Douglas, now 37.

"I will compete for two more years after that and finish in 2002 at the European Championships. After that I'll move onto other things and concentrate on coaching.'' Douglas, who hasn't ruled out giving something back to athletics in Bermuda upon retirement, has a family member showing promise of following in his footsteps. Nephew Allan Douglas Jr. is in the Pacers Track programme and is a budding sprinter and long jumper.

The 13-year-old ran 12.4 seconds in the 100 metres and 26.1 in the 200 metres on the weekend while also winning the long jump.

"He's probably the best Douglas we've had yet,'' said the proud uncle. "We have talent in Bermuda and just have to harness it. Holland is my home but I want want to keep contact with Bermuda and help the BTFA.'' Troy Douglas: confident he will be cleared of charges that he used the banned substance Nandrolone.

DRUGS DGS