Cycling berth for speedskater Witty

Olympic speedskater Chris Witty will have a chance to become the first American woman to win a medal in both the winter and summer Olympics after being officially placed on the U.S. cycling team for the Sydney Games, The Gazette newspaper reported.

Witty won a disputed Olympic berth after rival cyclist Tammy Thomas was ruled ineligible because of a positive drug test in a surprising twist that eliminated the need for an arbitrator's decision, the Colorado Springs paper reported.

Thomas had challenged Witty's selection to the team and demanded an arbitrator rule on the matter. That decision was due on Saturday.

However, the U.S. Olympic Committee informed USA Cycling late Thursday that Thomas was ineligible for the Olympic team because she tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a drug test at the trials on April 29 in Frisco, Texas.

Thomas, who narrowly beat Witty in a 500-meter time trial at the U.S. Olympic trials, had challenged Witty's appointment to the team announced in July.

An arbitrator had ordered a ride-off between Thomas and Witty to help determine the disputed spot, but Thomas rode alone last weekend after Witty filed a counter-complaint against Thomas.

USOC spokesman Mike Moran said the results of Thomas's doping test weren't announced earlier because Thomas "had the right to appeal any of this, and it took this long to work out."

Thomas has been given a one-year suspension from competition, dating from April 29.

Witty won silver and bronze medals in speedskating at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.

Stories relating to Olympic cycling

Ullrich to use Tour of Spain as Olympic tuneup

The How To Do It guide to Olympic cycling

The Dunc Gray Velodrome, Olympic cycling venue