WORLD ANTI DOPING AGENCY GETTING TOUGHER ON CHEATS

 

WADA ponders tougher drug cheat penalties

Boosting minimum doping bans from two years to four and using only one urine sample rather than "A" and "B" tests to decide positives are among topics the World Anti-Doping Agency is pondering.

WADA's executive committee meets in Paris on Sunday and Monday to talk about future anti-doping regulations, but moves such as longer doping ban minimums and a one-step doping process will need more scrutiny before being considered.

While second-test "B" samples seldom differ from "A" samples, it now takes both being positive for a doping test to be considered positive, although some critics say the time lag between tests allows banned substances to dissipate.

"There is a body of thought among some of our stakeholders that 'A' should be enough. There is another body of thinking that 'B' is a safeguard for some," WADA president Dick Pound said.

"It's far too soon to say there will be a change. We're looking to develop a consensus on it. There would have to be to make a change."

 

:: ABC.NET.AU