Cycling: DNA tests at cycling HQ

DISCARDED syringes found in a bucket in a room used as a shooting gallery at the Australian Institute of Sport's cycling headquarters are likely to be tested for fingerprints and DNA.

It comes as seven Olympic hopefuls based at the Adelaide facility yesterday pleaded their innocence over the widening dope scandal.

The makeshift "sharps" bucket is being held as evidence by the Court of Arbitration for Sport pending the start of an independent inquiry.

It is alleged banned cyclist Mark French's Room 121 at the AIS facility at Henley Beach had been used as an injecting area by five other cyclists.

It is understood Sports Minister Rod Kemp has been advised by the Australian Sports Commission that testing of the syringes could be part of the inquiry.