In wiping Mary Decker Slaney's silver medal performance from the 1997 world championships out of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) history books, the association says it is simply abiding by another book, its own constitution.
The IAAF, several weeks ago, stripped Slaney of the 1,500-meters medal she won in Paris because of a failed drug test three years ago.
"It is ... clear that the IAAF has only respected its constitution in Mary Slaney's case," IAAF Media and Public Relations Director Giorgio Reineri said.
Prior to the IAAF decision, Slaney pulled out of arbitration with the international association. She also has sued the IAAF and the U.S. Olympic Committee, which administered the original test, claiming it is unreliable for women who take birth control pills in their late 30s or 40s.
Reineri said IAAF Constitution rule 21 states all disputes between members or between a member and the council or congress, however arising, shall be submitted to the arbitration panel.
USA Track and Field cleared Slaney of wrongdoing in the failed drug test and had urged the IAAF to do the same. Reineri said the IAAF has the right to come to its own conclusions if "in the conduct or conclusions of such a hearing (as the USATF's) the member has discredited itself, or otherwise reached an erroneous conclusion."
He said each member association agrees it shall incorporate in its constitution a provision that all disputes be submitted to arbitration. "In the case of a dispute between an athlete and the IAAF, this dispute may, at the option of the council, be submitted to the IAAF's arbitration panel," he said. "Under point 3, doping related matters, we read that the ... (Slaney) case may be submitted to the arbitration panel."
In regards to Slaney's claims that birth control pills caused the drug test failure, Reineri said there are differing opinions on this "scientific question," but added, "In Mary Slaney's case, scientific opinion has been completely respected."
Craig Masback, the USA Track and Field CEO, would not answer questions about Slaney pulling out of the IAAF arbitration, instead referring to the written statement USATF released on the issue. He also refused to comment about Slaney's suit against the IAAF.
Reineri said matters such as this one are "the sole competence of the International Federation(s) and lie outside the jurisdiction of the courts."
Slaney, 40, is still eligible to compete in IAAF events since she had retroactively completed her two-year ban.
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