IAAF: No Bans Sought

Track and field’s world governing body will not intervene to suspend American athletes facing doping allegations unless there is evidence they failed drug tests.

That means four U.S. athletes facing possible lifetime bans -- but who have not tested positive for drugs -- could compete in the Athens Olympics if their arbitration hearings have not been resolved by then.

Istvan Gyulai, general secretary of the International Assn. of Athletics Federations, told Associated Press on Wednesday: “In the absence of facts, the IAAF cannot and will not do anything.”

Gyulai said the group expected the six pending U.S. doping cases to be completed before next month’s Olympics.

“We would be very disappointed if they are not,” he said from the group’s headquarters in Monaco.

All the cases could ultimately end up before the international Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the IAAF would have to honor the rulings even if the athletes were banned without testing positive for drugs.

USA Track & Field said Tuesday that Tim Montgomery -- the 100-meter world-record holder -- and the five others facing doping charges would be allowed to compete at the U.S. Olympic trials beginning Friday in Sacramento.

“We have no problem with that,” Gyulai said. “Whether or not they can compete in the trials, we leave it in the hands of USA Track & Field.”

Montgomery and sprinters Chryste Gaines, Michelle Collins and Alvin Harrison have been notified by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that they face lifetime bans in the BALCO steroid investigation. All are contesting the allegations.

None of the four failed a drug test. USADA is acting based on “nonanalytical positives,” evidence gathered in the federal probe of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative.

The U.S. Olympic Committee is due to name the Athens team by July 21. However, the International Olympic Committee has adjusted its rules to allow for late substitutions in “exceptional circumstances.” The Olympics begin Aug. 13, with the track competition starting Aug. 18.