American Regina Jacobs, who holds the world indoor 1,500 meters record, has retired from the sport before a hearing on Sunday over a positive doping test.

"Today, I am announcing my retirement from track and field," Jacobs said in a statement released by her attorney before the 1,500 meters final of the US Olympic trials, the same day an arbitration panel was scheduled to hear her case.

The 40-year-old Jacobs tested positive for the steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) at the U.S. Championships at Stanford, California, on June 21, 2003. The previous undetectable steroid is at the center of the BALCO doping scandal that has engulfed U.S. athletics.

Jacobs, the 2003 world indoor 1,500 meter champion, was one of six U.S. athletes entered in the Olympic trials facing doping charges.

Only relay gold medallists Calvin Harrison and Chryste Gaines remain in the competition.

World 100 meters record holder Tim Montgomery and Olympic 400 meters silver medallist Alvin Harrison failed to finish in the top three of their events, failing to make the U.S.Olympic team.

Former world indoors 200 meters champion Michelle Collins withdrew from the trials, citing a leg injury.

Source: Xinhua