Athletics governing body the IAAF is considering reintroduce four-year bans for drugs offenders. The minimum ban was reduced from four years to two years in 1997.
The discovery of the new steroid THG and a spate of positive drugs tests could spark the move, according to IAAF media director Nick Davies.
"I think we have to discuss the minimum ban again as part of the continuing battle against the cheats," said Davies.
He added: "We reduced the minimum ban period because of pressure from outsiders who wanted a two-year ban across sports and countries.
"The climate is different now, it is maybe easier to persuade governments to ban (drugs cheats) for four years.
"Maybe there is a case for returning to four years. We also have to examine the coaches and agents who have been implicated in their athletes' positive tests.
"The agents and managers are making money from the fame of the athletes they represent and the IAAF, via the national federations, should consider ways to licence them."
MMIX
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