Iaaf Trims Drug Bans

The International Amateur Athletic Federation’s Congress reduced its minimum bans for drug use from four years to two, drawing protests from those wanting the sport to take a tougher stand.

The decision brings the IAAF in line with other world federations and the International Olympic Committee on policing drugs.

The IAAF was reluctant to lower its standards but did so under pressure from many countries that insisted their laws prevent enforcement of a four-year ban.