Greg Rutherford begins Strictly Come Dancing training with surprise drugs test

Greg Rutherford dons the sequins for Strictly. Credit: PA

Strictly Come Dancing star Greg Rutherford began his first day of training with a surprise drugs test.

The Olympic long-jumper joked that he had attracted suspicion because of his exceptional dancing skills.

Professional athletes can be tested at any time by the sport's world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

A spokesperson confirmed that the test was random and not connected to the 29-year-old's dancing debut, adding that testing is frequent so that Rutherford and his professional partner Natalie Lowe can expect many more.

Greg Rutherford has been partnered with professional dancer Natalie Lowe. Credit: PA

"He has to give them his whereabouts every day and they can turn up unannounced, so it was just chance that it turned out to be his first day of Strictly training," a spokesperson for the IAAF said.

The Olympic medalist did not let the drugs test get in the way of a busy first day's training, tweeting to say he was "exhausted".