Track and field's governing body reduced its ban for doping from four years to two today, falling in line with other world federations on policing of drugs.
The International Amateur Athletic Federation's ruling calls for penalties of a minimum of two years, but individual national associations can decide whether the bans should be more severe.After about a two-hour debate, the proposal passed with 112 votes in favor, 56 against and three abstentions.
Several countries voiced passionate opposition, including Canada, Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Norway and from the Caribbean area.
The IAAF was reluctant to lower its standards but did so under pressure from the European Athletic Association, which insisted many countries' court regulations prevent enforcing a four-year ban.
"This puts us in a better situation to face political conflicts, many of which were happening," IAAF president Primo Nebiolo said at a news conference.
While the minimum penalty has been reduced to two years for a first offense, the rule against a second offense will remain a lifetime ban.
The IAAF also wiped out three-month suspensions for athletes testing positive for over-the-counter stimulants, replacing the bans with a warning. A second offense for that will result in a two-year ban.
"This should not be interpreted as a lowering of the guard," Nebiolo said of the new measures.
The IAAF's four-year ban was among the sporting world's harshest penalties. Most other international federations impose shorter suspensions for first-time offenses.