Why athletics’ reputation is in tatters again

Once a true barometer of individual prowess, the sport’s credibility has been slowly eroded by a spate of positive drug tests across the past three decades. It started with Ben Johnson in 1988 and has continued to tarnish athletics ever since.

As each new doping case crops up, it becomes increasingly difficult to watch a remarkable performance without cynicism. The strongest men’s high jump field in history is currently operating on the Diamond League circuit, the women’s distance races are the most compelling in years, but it’s the same topic that continues to divert the attention: drugs in athletics.The latest episode saw Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson given the all-clear to return to competition with immediate effect on Monday. Eighteen-month bans cut to six months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The decision is staggering.Not necessarily because of suspicions the pair intentionally cheated – although the fact their bans were not completely wiped out infers some guilt on their part – but because there was no explanation as to why they were handed more lenient punishments. And there won’t be for at least two weeks.The message to athletics fans was clear: you don’t need answers, now welcome back your flawed heroes and forget this ever happened.Powell and Simpson were sanctioned in July 2013 after testing positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine – a substance perceived to speed up the fat burning process and potentially boost the rate at which the heart reaches its maximum output during exercise. Both vehemently denied taking the stimulant intentionally.CAS’s decision means the pair have already served their penalty, despite their positive tests casting a shadow over the World Championships in Moscow last year. Instead of missing a full season, they return in the middle of 2014 with plenty of major meets left on the calendar – even if both will likely be missing from the Commonwealth Games.Similarly, no convincing explanation was offered as to why Tyson Gay was banned for a year in May – a suspension just 52 days from elapsing by the time the verdict was passed down – except the flimsy announcement that he had provided information to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to help combat performance-enhancing drugs.It’s time for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to clear it all up and restore some faith in the sport. Why was Gay only banned for a year after testing positive for an anabolic steroid? Why are Powell and Simpson suddenly allowed to compete again? And why not keep the Olympics free of all drug offenders, regardless of the severity of the offence?Let’s get one thing clear: Gay, Powell and Simpson all had banned substances in their system. Whether it was a product of negligence matters little – it damaged the sport and should have been sanctioned accordingly. The punishment should fit the crime – anabolic steroids clearly trump a stimulant only banned during competition – but adding in a lifetime Olympic ban for all doping offences would encourage vigilance across sport.The idea that someone could get away with a slap on the wrist is bad enough, but it’s even more ridiculous that the explanations from the authorities are vague or withheld. The bans have to be complemented with immediate clarification, or we’re left in a situation where athletes can just saunter back into the sport and no one quite knows why.(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)Bakudaily.az