looser
December 6th, 2003, 5:33:45 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/3295705.stm
American athletes have unanimously backed lifetime bans for steroid use and called on the rest of the world to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy.
The US athletes committee's decision is likely to lead to governing body USA Track and Field (USATF) adopting life bans in a vote on Sunday.
The move follows the emergence of the designer steroid THG, which is believed to have originated in the USA.
Four of the five athletes who have tested positive for THG are American.
"We invite the world and [athletics' world governing body] the IAAF to adopt zero tolerance and that any steroid ban be for life," the US athletes' committee said in a statement.
US pole vaulter Stacy Dragila added: "Everyone has criticised us thinking we're covering up for athletes. It's a matter of getting the IAAF and national governing bodies to follow.
American athletes have unanimously backed lifetime bans for steroid use and called on the rest of the world to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy.
The US athletes committee's decision is likely to lead to governing body USA Track and Field (USATF) adopting life bans in a vote on Sunday.
The move follows the emergence of the designer steroid THG, which is believed to have originated in the USA.
Four of the five athletes who have tested positive for THG are American.
"We invite the world and [athletics' world governing body] the IAAF to adopt zero tolerance and that any steroid ban be for life," the US athletes' committee said in a statement.
US pole vaulter Stacy Dragila added: "Everyone has criticised us thinking we're covering up for athletes. It's a matter of getting the IAAF and national governing bodies to follow.