I have always been one who has known some drug positives are swept under the rug when the name is too big like Bolt in 2009 as has long been rumored. In 2008 and 2009 there were many positives for masking agents and they were covered up (see paragraph below). But I do think there will be very few protected athletes this go round as the IAAF wants to clean things up. Of course the IAAF ridding the sport of drugs and thus lowering the potential performances is like the NFL getting seriously tough on drugs so that superstars are busted and more players stay on the IR despite large salaries. Lots of lip service but not a lot of real action.
The "thyroid" issue is one getting intense scrutiny at the moment as more research is done on the issue that Alberto is abusing. That will likely not break until 2012 however I do think many in the distance community are sweating bulletts over the new HGH and EPO test and the whole blood tests that have become prevalent in the past 12 months as its allowing for a lot more detail on certain body readings at various dates. There will be a few analytical positives like we saw 2 years ago with the Russians.
Let me point out one VERY INTERESTING DETAIL in the Mullings case. His agent is John Regis. Regis was agent for Dwain Chambers and he himself was oft said to be skirting the drug tests in his days as a sprinter on the circuit.
Throw in this next little "coincidence" and you will really become curious as to the goings on of his group. Note that he also reps Alonzo Edward, Ryan Braithwaite and Derrick Atkins who all were top guys in 08 or 09 but have struggled since. Why the struggle? I was told going back to question above is that they were told after positive tests for masking agents that they needed to be clean or be banned.