News of Steve Mullings' failed drug test has been spreading like wildfire across the social media networks with several athletes and former athletes expressing their opinions and observations alike.

Mullings, who was shaping up to be a medal contender in the short sprints at this month end's IAAF World Athletic Championships set for Daegu, South Korea, tested positive for a masking agent following a test administered at the National Championships held between June 23 and 26 at the National Stadium.

The 28-year-old Mullings, who trains under Lance Brauman in Clermont, Florida, along with Jamaicans Nickel Ashmeade and Ramone McKenzie as well as American record holder Tyson Gay, excited the world of track and field this season with world-leading times of 9.80 and 9.93, 9.95 and 9.98. He was also expected to feature in Jamaica's powerful sprint relay squad after he finished third in the 100 metres and won the 200 metres at the championships.

As such the positive test has sparked much debate on the popular Twitter and Facebook networks.

a sign of things to come

Former Trinidadian sprint star Ato Boldon, who does work as an analyst on NBC and Universal Sport saw the positive test as a sign of things to come. "Blood tests for everyone in Daegu. Glad to hear it. Enough is enough," he tweeted.

American 110-metre hurdles medal contender David Oliver tweeted in response "Good, wonder how many pull outs there will be." Oliver later tweeted that he had just completed a drug test but wished that the IAAF did not release the information of blood testing at Daegu so soon. Now that they had, "look at athletes scatter like roaches when the lights come on."

News of the positive test has also caused some to start looking with greater scrutiny on the camp where Mullings trains and at their star athlete Tyson Gay. Gay, who ran an American record 9.71s in the 100 metres at the World Championships in Berlin two years ago, ran 9.79, the second-fastest time in the world this year, at a meet in Clermont, Florida. Gay will also miss the World Championships after undergoing recent hip surgery.

bombshell

However, Wallace Spearmon, Gay's former teammate at the University of Arkansas, has come to the defence of his friend. In response to a tweet that suggested that if Mullings decided to talk about what occurs in his training camp, the news would be a bombshell, Spearmon, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, but who will not be competing in Daegu, tweeted "Naw man, they clean." He also tweeted "Tyson is one of the best to do it 'CLEAN' and coach (Lance Brauman) is a great coach."

So far Gay, who in addition to being Mullings' training partner and good friend, is also the godfather of Mullings' child, has been silent on Twitter regarding the issue.

On Facebook, many friends and fans have come to the support of the embattled sprinter with words of encouragement.

Florida-based Michael Hancock had this to say: The thing is real fans accept a person for the good and the bad - I don't know how you feel at this moment, but I'm still a fan regardless - praying for you!!!"

Kirk Frankson and Jerome Grung Plane Morgan, both Jamaican residents, posted their believes that the country is in full support of the sprinter despite the latest developments.

Frankson posted, "Jamaica still a support you," while Morgan added, "No watch dat Jamaica a pray fi you me boss."