The International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) yesterday stood accused of reneging on its role as one of the key players in the war against the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport.
At its annual congress in Athens, the IAAF voted to halve the mandatory sentence of four years for a first offence for those testing positive for the more serious of the banned substances.
Additionally, the punishment for the use of stimulants, formerly set at three months, will now be replaced by a public warning, fuelling accusations that one of the most powerful sporting organisations in the world, has gone soft on drugs.
"It's not a good message to send out to youngsters," said the former Olympic sprint champion, Linford Christie. "I believe it leaves a door open for these people who take drugs and that has to be disturbing. I think they should have stayed with the four-year ban."
Not unexpectedly, Irish delegates were among the more vociferous critics of a decision reached by the surprising margin of 136 to 54. Four years ago, they had supported Britain's proposal to increase the ban for middle-range offences from two to four years. Yesterday, they were equally firm in standing with British delegates for its retention.
"I consider that the ruling is a retrograde one," said Nick Davis, who is in Athens as Irish team manager. "That there was always a volume of support for a shorter ban was never doubted. What surprised many of us was the majority of more than 80 for the amendment.
"Almost certainly, people will say that we have backed down in our determination to punish those who cheat. That is not true of many countries, but unfortunately, those people who have spoken out so often on the subject in the past are not now in the majority."
Predictably, Primo Nebiola, the IAAF's controversial president, was putting the best face on what is, at best, a highly questionable decision. "It's not a licence for athletes to go out and offend - more a gesture to those within our Federation who felt that the rule, as it stood, was, in some respects, too severe," he said.
"Over the years, our opposition to those who cheat has been consistent. Even with today's decision, nothing has changed. There will be no let-up in our efforts to ensure that our sport stays clean."
Together with the international cycling authorities and, to a lesser extent, swimming's governing body, FINA, the IAAF has been at the cutting edge in the campaign to rid modern sport of one of its greatest scourges.
At times, they felt that their commitment was not being matched by others. To that extent, they have never suffered criticism on the matter lightly and the point was again illustrated in their immediate reaction to the hostile reception that was accorded to yesterday's ruling.
Yet, undeniably, they will now be perceived by many as weakening in their resolve to continue the fight at a time when litigation costs in disputed cases are soaring and the price of defending rectitude in sport is now presenting some officials with a delicate crisis of priorities.
