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Change in
Citizenship & Doping in Sports Recent events relating to Track and Field Athletics has forced me as Area Representative on the IAAF Council to make some comments where the subject of change in citizenship and doping in Sports is concerned. Allow me to quote from our Council meeting held in Doha on April 10, 2005: “At a meeting in Doha on 10 April, 2005, Council agreed that IAAF Rule 5.2d, which relates to Changes of Nationality, should be changed so that the period of ineligibility of an athlete who had competed for one Member Federation and wanted to change to another, would only begin when the athlete received citizenship. An athlete shall not represent his new Member in an International Competition under Rules 1.1 for a period of three years following the acquisition of new Citizenship. This period may be reduced to 12 months with the agreement, in writing, of the Members concerned, or even less at the discretion of Council. Up until then, the period of in eligibility began from the last time an athlete competed for his or her original federation, regardless of when the athlete actually obtained new Citizenship. Please note though, that the IAAF Juridical Commission is currently studying this issue of nationality changes, with the aim of suggesting ways to improve the current system even further, in time for the next Congress of the IAAF in Osaka in August 2007. Aim of the IAAF is to ensure that all changes of nationality are legitimately linked to the wish of an athlete to live and work and commit to life in another country, and are not simply cynical attempts to gain better financial conditions, without a total life style commitment to the “new” country. The IAAF is totally opposed to the principle of “trading” in athletes, especially those changing from poorer countries to wealthier ones.” I would like to add for the information of the Jamaican people that all letters of transfer of nationality are read openly at Council meetings. My recollection of letters of transfer from Brandon Simpson and Jermaine Mason were extremely cordial. Mason indicated his desire to reside with his parents in England after breaking camp with his Jamaican coach and Brandon Simpson pointed to the fact that he was an American born citizen and opted to run for the love of the country and for his Jamaican relatives. Neither athlete sought any financial support, as a matter of fact, Mr. Simpson personally extended his thanks to Mr. Howard Aris, President of the JAAA, for his role in allowing him to participate in the 2000 Olympics in Australia while Mr. Mason said he was not trying to be disloyal to the JAAA and Jamaica and honestly appreciate everything that Jamaica has done for him and all the recognition he got through the JAAA. As far as doping issues are concerned, the IAAF will be discussing in China the return to the four year ban for first drug offences. Neville MCCook
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