Athletics: The International Association of Athletics Federation will ban Justin Gatlin for life if he is found guilty of using banned drugs to enhance his performances.
IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss, speaking at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, is adamant Gatlin's career will be over if he cannot prove his innocence.
"The rules are very clear — two years for a first offence then a lifetime ban," said Weiss, who is adamant drug cheating will not be tolerated by the world governing body for athletics.
Gatlin insists he is innocent of committing a drug violation after testing positive for the substance testosterone at the Kansas Relays on April 22nd.
The American's failed test came just three weeks after he equalled the world 100 metres record of 9.77 seconds set by Asafa Powell of Jamaica. Gatlin's performance in Qatar was quickly ratified by the IAAF, which meant he must have provided two mandatory negative tests before it could be confirmed.
Gatlin, who has to convince a United States Anti-Doping Panel of his innocence, failed a drugs test five years ago.
He was suspended at the age of 19 after a positive test for amphetamines at the USA junior championships, but reinstated a year later on appeal.
The IAAF accepted he was using medication for 'attention deficit disorder', but although sanctioning his return, still registered it as a first offence.
Weiss insisted: "If it is confirmed he has tested positive for testosterone, I don't see any other way not to impose a life ban."