UPDATE 4-Athletics-Five Jamaicans test positive for drugs

* Five members of world championship squad test positive

* Official says none were Beijing medallists

* Athletes recalled home

(Updates with official confirmation)

By Horace Helps

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 24 (Reuters) - Five members of the Jamaican team for next month's world athletics championships have been recalled home after testing positive for a banned substance, a Jamaican anti-doping official said on Friday.

"All five athletes who were members of the squad to the world championships have been pulled immediately and will return to Jamaica for a hearing," the official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

The Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission confirmed five athletes had tested positive during last month's national championships.

"JADCO conducted 43 tests at the Senior National Championships which were held from June 26 to June 28, 2009 at the National Stadium. These samples were submitted to the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) accredited laboratory in Montreal on June 29," the statement issued by sports ministry communication's manager Oliver Watt said.

"JADCO has received the report of the laboratory analysis which indicates that there are five adverse analytical findings.

"JADCO has specific protocols that govern the management of all results. These include among other things, the proper notification of all athletes involved.

"Therefore, JADCO cannot provide any further information until all result management protocols have been observed and satisfied."the statement said.

The official told Reuters that none of the athletes, who had tested positive at the national championships in Kingston last month, were medallists at last year's Beijing Olympics.

Two were members of the newly formed Racers Track Club which includes triple Olympic champion and world record holder Usain Bolt. His coach Glen Mills also works at the club.

"It's frightening, but all five tested positive for the same drug, although the five trained almost under different circumstances," the official said.

"I can tell you that none of the world stars are involved. The drug itself is not an anabolic steroid and is considered a minor drug, meaning that with a good explanation at a hearing, the athlete could get off with a reprimand."

BOLT INFORMED

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding summoned officials of the Jamaica Anti-doping Agency and the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association to a meeting to discuss the reports.

Sprinter Julien Dunkley was axed from Jamaica's squad for the Beijing Games last year after his urine sample showed traces of the banned steroid Boldenone.

Dunkley, who would have been part of the men's 4x100 metres relay squad, was banned for two years. He has denied taking a prohibited substance.

Jamaica's sprinters swept the board at the Olympic Games last year with Bolt winning the 100 and 200 gold medals in world record time while Shelly-Ann Fraser and Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women's 100 and 200 titles.

The men's 4x100 relay team, which included Bolt and former 100 world record holder Asafa Powell, also won gold in a world record time.

"Actually I heard that was a rumour...I don't know much about that, you'll just have to ask my agent," Bolt told the BBC at the London grand prix where he was competing in the 100 metres.

"I heard a rumour, my friend called me and told me that he heard some guys were positive but I'm not worried." (Writing by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by John Mehaffey and Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)