IAAF silent over Gatlin

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have still to comment on the eight-year suspension handed down to drugs cheat Justin Gatlin.

The world and Olympic 100 metres champion was awarded what the world governing body might consider an inappropriate punishment, given this was his second anti-doping violation offence.

Last week IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss, made it plain if Gatlin was found guilty by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), he must receive a lifetime ban.

The IAAF Council also confirmed yesterday that Gatlin would be stripped of the 100m world record of 9.77seconds he shares with Asafa Powell.

The American achieved that performance at the Doha Super Grand Prix in Qatar, three weeks after his positive test at the Kansas Relays.

The 24-year-old, whose samples in Lawrence on April 22 proved positive for testosterone, also failed a drugs test five years ago.

Amphetamines were found when tested at the USA junior championships, but the Olympic and world champion was reinstated a year later on appeal.

The IAAF accepted he was using medication for Attention Deficit Disorder, but it was still registered as a first offence and under the “two strikes” rule he faced a lifetime ban.

USADA’s statement, when they did not hand down the ultimate punishment, revealed Gatlin had promised to co-operate in the effort to “eradicate the use of drugs from sport.”

They revealed Gatlin has agreed to co-operate by “providing information that may assist in USADA's anti-doping efforts” – possibly whistle-blowing on his drug suppliers.

The statement said: “In exchange for Gatlin’s promise to co-operate and in recognition of the exceptional circumstances of his prior violation, USADA has agreed that the maximum period of suspension for this violation would be eight years.

“The nature of Gatlin’s first offence for use of his medication puts this violation in a unique category,” said Terry Madden, USADA chief executive officer.

“Given these circumstances and consistent with the international CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) precedent, a maximum of an eight-year suspension is a fair and just outcome.“

No comment has yet been received from the IAAF. Their council meeting ended yesterday and all key members were due to leave Beijing early on this morning.