Athletics: Drug cheats may again face minimum four-year ban
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The detection of a new designer steroid in the United States could lead track and field's world governing body to bring back four–year bans for drug cheats.
The International Association of Athletics Federations said yesterday it may consider doubling its two–year penalty for athletes testing positive for steroids or other serious banned substances.
"Everybody in a responsible position is looking for a way to root out all of this," IAAF general secretary Istvan Gyulai said. "Obviously, one very logical approach would be to look at what happens if the sanction is more severe."
The IAAF reduced it penalty for steroid offenses from four years to two in 1997 after courts in several countries refused to uphold the longer ban. "I'm not sure it is easier now to enforce it," Gyulai said.
Current rules call for a "minimum" two–year suspension, but few countries opt for a stiffer penalty.
The push for tougher sanctions follows the unmasking of the designer steroid THG, or tetrahydrogestrinone, and a spate of positive tests for the stimulant modafinil.
Gyulai said the IAAF is also considering ways of punishing any coaches, trainers, doctors and agents implicated in the doping cases.
USA Track & Field has announced a "zero–tolerance" anti–doping plan which could include lifetime bans for first steroid offenses.
Four US athletes, including middle–distance runner Regina Jacobs and shot putter Kevin Toth, and British sprinter Dwain Chambers have tested positive for THG. Each is awaiting the analysis of their backup B samples.
THG was detected after an anonymous track coach tipped off the US Anti–Doping Agency and provided a used syringe containing the substance. The UCLA doping control laboratory identified it as a steroid – deliberately modified to evade detection – and devised a test for it.
The USADA ordered samples retested from the US track championships in June at Stanford. The IAAF is to retest 400 urine samples from the World Championships in Paris in August to check for THG.
Six US athletes have tested positive for modafinil, a prescription drug for the sleep disorder narcolepsy. They include sprinter Kelli White, who stands to lose her World Championship gold medals from the 100 and 200 meters.
Modafinil, classed as a minor stimulant, carries a public warning and disqualification from the event where the test took place, but no ban.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments