The world's athletics' governing body IAAF has reiterated its
call for an increase in doping sanctions to four years for the next
version of the World Anti-Doping Code which will be ratified in
November 2007.
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)
said in its news release said the four-year sanctions would be
imposed on serious first time doping violations for use or
possession of anabolic steroids (including EPO) and
amphetamine.
"It will also apply for presence/use/possession of all
Prohibited Methods; refusal or failure to submit to doping control
of otherwise evading of doping control and tampering, or attempting
to tamper, with the doping control process," it said.
"The above four year sanction may be reduced if the athlete, or
other person, can prove 'exceptional circumstances' in the case,"
the release said.
However, exceptional circumstances will be considered to apply
only in cases where the circumstances are truly exceptional and not
in the vast majority of cases.
Meanwhile, IAAF Council, which is meeting in the coastal city of
Mombasa, is expected to select host cities on Tuesday for two
editions of the most important competition on the IAAF
Calendar.
Each delegation will have 40 minutes to present their most
convincing arguments to the 25 voting members of the IAAF Council
(three members are absent) followed by a 20-minute question and
answer session.
(Xinhua News Agency?March 27, 2007)