Athletics: Modahl seeks 'fair hearing'

IN AN open letter, Diane Modahl's lawyer yesterday criticised the International Amateur Athletics Federation for failing to answer 'straightforward questions' about her two positive drugs tests. Anthony Morton-Hooper, the solicitor representing Modahl, the British middle-distance runner who has been suspended for testing positive for testosterone, claims that the IAAF has impeded Modahl's right to a fair hearing.

Modahl's is due to appear before the British Athletic Federation before the end of the month. Because he has not been able to extract information from the IAAF, Morton- Hooper has made public a letter he sent to Arne Ljungqvist, chairman of the IAAF's medical committee, requesting evidence, including the full results of Modahl's test samples. Morton-Hooper also claims that faxes sent to the IAAF on 2 and 6 September have not been answered.

Solomon Wariso, the British sprinter who tested positive for ephedrine, will appear before the BAF either tomorrow or on Wednesday, his club announced last night.