Blanket ban on dope-tainted nations 'unjust'

The World Anti-Doping Agency commission in November alleged that Russian athletes have systematically used performance-enhancing substances and recommended Russia be suspended from international competition. If endorsed by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF), the proposal could see Russian athletes excluded from next year's Olympic games in Brazil. Pictured: Russia's Mariya Savinova winning the 800m final at the London 2012 Olympic Games, August 11, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last Friday published a long and detailed list of criteria that the Russians must satisfy before the ban imposed is lifted.

While accepting that athletes, officials and doctors who cheat should be sanctioned, Bouzou suggested that athletes from banned countries that have clean doping records could undergo "extraordinary testing sessions" to allow them to compete.

The Frenchman, a four-times Olympian in modern pentathlon, also said the WOA supported the IOC's proposal for WADA to run independent dope testing on behalf of the sports federations and National Olympic Committees in the future.

Overall, however, his main concern was to ensure that athletes who have never been found guilty of wrongdoing would not suffer for the offences of others.

"It is not only the rights and reputations of athletes at stake, but also their ability to act as role models, inspiring young people and encouraging the next generation to take up sport," he said.