IAAF mulls over life bans, false starts and nationality switches

USA Track & Field is pushing for life bans for a first serious doping offense as part of its “zero-tolerance” initiative on steroids.

The proposal is opposed by the IAAF leadership, which backs the two-year suspensions mandated by the world anti-doping agency.

The IAAF fears that life bans would lead to drawn-out court cases and undermine the world anti-doping code, which calls for two-year suspensions.

The code has already been adopted by major international sports federations, while national governments are scheduled to sign a UNESCO convention accepting the treaty this fall.

“It would be absolute madness” to change at this time,IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said.You already know it is not going to work in court.”

The US proposal is limited to anabolic steroids and does not include such substances as human growth hormone or endurance-boosting epo.The IAAF switched from four-year bans to two-year suspensions in 1997 to avoid costly litigation. Under current rules, life bans are reserved for a second serious violation.

Further controversy will come when the federations vote on a proposed “no false start” rule, which could dramatically change the way sprints are run and even lead to a new standard for world records.

Under current rules, one false start is allowed for the entire field. Anyone jumping the gun after that is automatically disqualified.

The council wants to scrap all false starts to prevent athletes from deliberately jumping the gun to unsettle opponents.

If adopted, the rule would mostly affect the 100 and 200 meters, and the sprint hurdles, where athletes may be slower out of the blocks to avoid immediate disqualification.

Some officials have raised the possibility that a change in the rule should be accompanied by the introduction of a new set of world records.