Pubdate: Sat, 4 September 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press CASTRO ASKS FOR IOC PROBE OF PAN AM DRUG SCANDALS HAVANA (AP) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro asked Friday for the International Olympic Committee to investigate drug scandals at the Pan American games and demanded four Cuban athletes who tested positive for doping be given back their medals. "And for much more," Castro added during a five-hour televised appearance. "To return the honor of these scorned athletes. We will not rest until it is achieved." Castro asked that IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch form an investigatory commission to follow up on Cuba's charges of irregularities in drug tests given to high-jump world champion Javier Sotomayor and three weight lifting medalists. Gold medals were taken away from Sotomayor, and weight lifters William Vargas and Rolando Delgado. A silver medal was stripped from weight lifter Modesto Sanchez. Sotomayor tested positive for cocaine and the weight lifters tested positive for anabolic steroids. During the first half of two days of televised hearings, Castro said Thursday that Cuba's own drug tests of the three weight lifters showed that none had anabolic steroids in their bodies. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D