Athletics: Modahl made to wait for IAAF decision

Athletics

Diane Modahl yesterday faced a wait of another 24 hours for a verdict from the International Amateur Athletic Federation on her drugs-charge case, writes Mike Rowbottom.

Giorgio Reineri, the IAAF spokesman, said he did not expect the two-day meeting of the world governing body's council in Cape Town to discuss the case until today.

Council members are to consider a report from the IAAF's doping commission. They will then decide whether to uphold the decision by a British Athletic Federation panel to lift Modahl's four-year ban on appeal or to refer it to arbitration.

Michael Johnson will attempt the first men's Olympic 200 and 400 metres double following changes to the Atlanta schedule. A revised timetable gives Johnson two days' rest between the final of the 400 metres and the first round of the 200 metres.

The IAAF were also able to accommodate a request from eight-times Olympic champion Carl Lewis allowing him to run in the 200m as well as compete in the long jump.

The men's marathon has been switched from the evening to the morning on the final day of competition because of the excessive heat and humidity in Atlanta.